Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya has publicly criticized Zuffa Boxing, claiming the organization is obstructing a potential superfight between WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn. Speaking during a DAZN broadcast on June 21, 2026, De La Hoya asserted that Zuffa Boxing’s involvement has created repeated difficulties in finalizing the bout, which Garcia has expressed interest in for later this year.
De La Hoya’s frustration boils over as the two camps struggle to agree on promotional jurisdiction and broadcasting rights. Ryan Garcia, who holds a professional record of 26-2 with 20 KOs, remains under an exclusive promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions.
Oscar De La Hoya slams Zuffa Boxing over Ryan Garcia negotiations
While Garcia has teased a September 12 return in Las Vegas, De La Hoya remains firm that any such event must be broadcast on DAZN rather than Paramount+, the platform reportedly linked to Zuffa’s boxing venture.
The tension between the legendary promoter and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing reached a visible peak during Saturday’s broadcast. Oscar De La Hoya explicitly stated that Zuffa “gets in the way” and disrupts the standard workflow of boxing promotions.
He argued that the sport has established rules and a clear role for promoters, which he feels Zuffa is currently disregarding in its pursuit of the Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn matchup.
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“The problem that I have with Zuffa is everything they touch, whenever they get involved, it’s a big fuckin’ problem all the time,” De La Hoya said. He noted that while Ryan Garcia is eager to return to the ring, the logistical framework must honor existing contracts.
This conflict over promotional territory echoes other instances where administrative hurdles have stalled major cards, such as when Robeisy Ramirez calls out Mauricio Sulaiman over canceled bouts.
The legal battle intensified earlier this month when Golden Boy Promotions issued a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing, TKO Group Holdings, Paramount, and Saudi Arabia’s Sela. The letter, authored by attorney Ricardo P. Cestero around June 11, demands that these entities stop any negotiations regarding Garcia that exclude his primary promoter.
De La Hoya insists he holds the final say on Garcia’s career path, regardless of internal or external pressures.
Potential details for the Garcia vs Benn September clash
Despite the promotional deadlock, Ryan Garcia has been vocal about his desire to face Conor Benn on September 12, 2026. Speaking on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon* in May, Garcia named Benn as his preferred opponent for a Las Vegas-based event. Benn, who is currently the WBC’s No.
1 welterweight contender, is the mandatory challenger for the title Garcia won by defeating Mario Barrios in February 2026.
Logistical discussions for the potential bout include:
- Target Date: September 12, 2026
- Reported Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Weight Structure: A possible catchweight of 150 pounds
- Contractual Obligations: Golden Boy demands DAZN; Zuffa reportedly favors Paramount+
For Garcia, the fight represents a defense of the title he secured during his rise through the welterweight ranks. Similarly, Benn has remained active, including a victory over Regis Prograis in April at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The landscape of the 147-pound division remains in flux, particularly as other stars like O’Shaquie Foster calls out Shakur Stevenson while fighters evaluate their future in various weight classes.
The rivalry between Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White
The clash isn’t just about the athletes; it is a direct confrontation between De La Hoya and Dana White. De La Hoya has acknowledged the possibility of a shared press conference, though he remains skeptical of Zuffa’s methods.
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“Maybe the news conference will be more interesting than the fight, because of me and Dana White going at it,” De La Hoya remarked on June 11, noting he is ready to face the UFC president if it facilitates the fight Garcia wants.
Ryan Garcia has a history of briefly clashing with Golden Boy Promotions before ultimately extending his commitments to the firm. De La Hoya suggests this current situation is a result of third parties attempting to bypass established protections like the Muhammad Ali Act.
He maintains that while he is willing to work with almost any promoter, the involvement of Zuffa has uniquely complicated the process for this specific welterweight showdown.
As the September date approaches, the boxing world remains watchful of whether these two promotional giants can find common ground. If a deal with Benn cannot be struck due to the Zuffa impasse, Garcia will likely seek an alternative opponent to stay active.
Regardless of the opponent, De La Hoya is adamant that Garcia’s television home remains DAZN, a stance that may be the ultimate dealbreaker in these high-stakes negotiations.
