Editor’s note: This article was updated with a statement from Ryan Garcia’s litigation counsel.
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Golden Boy Promotions has sued Ryan Garcia and his attorney in United States District Court, District of Nevada to compel the popular fighter to honor his contract with the promotional company, according to a court document obtained by Boxing Junkie.
Garcia signed a five-year deal in the fall of 2019. However, Golden Boy said in the lawsuit that Garcia contends the contract is “void and unenforceable.”
Golden Boy accuses Garcia’s attorney, Lupe Valencia, of “driving a wedge” between his client and the company and leading him away from his obligations.
“Unfortunately, Garcia’s advisors have apparently convinced him that he does not need Golden Boy anymore,” the suit states. “One of those advisors, Valencia, has, for the last year or more, directly interfered with Golden Boy’s ability to communicate with Garcia and to negotiate the best deals and fights for Garcia. In fact, Valencia, in direct violation of Golden Boy’s
Agreement with Garcia, has engaged in negotiations with other promoters and boxers for Garcia’s fights. Valencia has done so despite explicitly knowing of the Agreement and its terms and has orchestrated an effort to drive a wedge between Garcia and Golden Boy.”
Golden Boy released a statement Friday in regard to the lawsuit: “Golden Boy has been proud to have worked with Ryan Garcia for the last several years and to help catapult him to the kind of stardom that led to the biggest boxing Pay Per View event in years just two months ago. With this filing, we are seeking to ensure that Ryan and his team will honor the remainder of his contract, a contract that Ryan himself called ‘one of the most lucrative boxing deals for a prospect in the history of the sport.’ Since then, Ryan has moved on to becoming a legitimate contender, and we will continue to present Ryan with the best possible opponents that can eventually lead the way to a world championship and a historic legacy.”
Garcia’s litigation counsel, James “Bo” Pearl, said in the formal statement that the lawsuit is retaliation to Garcia’s request for mediation.
On-and-off acrimony between the 140-pound contender and his promotional company reached a crescendo after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in a 136-pound bout on April 22.
Golden Boy executives Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins failed to show up at the post-fight news conference, as did trainer Joe Goossen.
Garcia parted ways with Goossen and made other changes in his camp shortly after the fight but he has not made an announcement about his future with Golden Boy.
However, a war of nasty words between Garcia and De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy, on Twitter a few weeks ago made it clear that the relationship is on the rocks.
Garcia questioned the loyalty of De La Hoya and his team, to which the Hall of Fame fighter-turned-promoter responded: “Wtf @RyanGarcia it’s been almost two months and youre still crying about the post presser? The blame for your loss is on YOU and your “advisor” Lupe. He is the only one who pushed you to accept that INSANE rehydration clause and THAT is the reason you lost. Man up. Own that.”
Garcia responded to that tweet: “Okay buddy, you got it all figured out. Tired of you disrespecting my whole career and you think non[e] of it matters. Loyalty and common sense is lost in your head. Stop treating people that way and think that they will just accept it.”
Then came the lawsuit, which Golden Boy claims was unavoidable given the circumstances.
“Golden Boy was forced to file this action to protect and enforce its interests under the Agreement so that it can continue to make the best fights for Garcia and his fans and to deter Valencia and others from interfering with Golden Boy’s rights,” the suit states.
The relationship between Garcia and Golden Boy had soured by 2019. However, the contract extension seemed to resolve their differences.
Garcia, 21 at the time, couldn’t have been more pleased with the deal.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he said, according to ESPN. “I’m here today to show everybody that I consider Golden Boy my family and that we’re going to be in this together as I fulfill my dreams. Just like I have all the capabilities to become a big star, Golden Boy has all the tools to get me there. But I just want to tell all of our fans: Enjoy the ride!”
Davis knocked out Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) with a body shot in Round 7 of their fight, which generated 1.2 million pay-per-view buys in the United States. Garcia moved down from 140 to 136 and accepted a rehydration clause to make the fight, which some believe was unwise.
Garcia is now expected to campaign at 140. He’s ranked in the Top 10 by all four major sanctioning bodies.
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