Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions are at it again. And one wonders whether they can remain together long term.
Garcia, the hard-punching lightweight contender with a huge social media following, was supposed to have fought on July 4 in Indio, California, but he expressed his dissatisfcation with the purse offered by DAZN, $200,000. So Golden Boy is going a different direction.
It will now showcase another rising star, Vergil Ortiz, in late July, Oscar De La Hoya said in a pointed Tweet.
“Due to Team @KingRyanG decision not to accept a July 4th bout, we will now return in late July with the future of boxing, @vergilortiz,” De La Hoya Tweeted. “[M]ore exciting details to follow @GoldenBoyBoxing.”
Due to Team @KingRyanG decision not to accept a July 4th bout, we will now return in late July with the future of boxing 🥊 @vergilortiz , more exciting details to follow @GoldenBoyBoxing
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 15, 2020
Garcia responded quickly on Twitter. He said: “You do realize you’re supposed to be my promoter not hater right?” He later took the Tweet down.
Then Jermell Charlo, the junior middleweight titleholder, got in his two cents. He Tweeted: “Bruh [n]obody better than [adviser Al H]aymon. I left GBP making 100k got with Haymon made 10x more.. bruh you to[o] popular to be with them..DONT BE USED OR PUT ON THE SHELF.. [YOU’RE] YOUNG BE SMART.”
Garcia was critical of DAZN after receiving the $200,000 offer.
“That’s bulls—,” Garcia told DAZN commentator and Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix. “Why am I being held back financially? What is the problem here? Why is DAZN giving out big numbers to guys fighting nobodies? It’s f—ed up how I’m being treated. I’m not asking for $100 million. Just give me the check I deserve. How am I one of the biggest fighters in the world and I get bigger paychecks outside of boxing?
“I’m not saying anything about Golden Boy. I’m not going to worry about what Golden Boy is doing right now. I just want my direct line. I’m tired of going through middle men. DAZN needs to call me. I need to hear from them why stuff can’t happen. You have Shakur Stevenson going [last Tuesday] night. Why is ESPN going and not me?”
Garcia and Golden Boy had a public spat last year but ultimately reconciled and Garcia signed a multiyear deal to remain with the company.
No details about Ortiz’s fight were discussed.