It is not often that common sense and Oscar De La Hoya are found in the same sentence together in boxing but this is a rare moment of it.
The US Olympic Gold medalist and multi-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya at one time used to be one of the sport’s great promoters.
He is frozen out from promoting even his star boxer Ryan Garcia these days though, who takes on Conor Benn of the UK next up.
Oscar De La Hoya still remains that the Devin Haney fight is the better fight though:
“I’ve always wanted the Haney fight (for Garcia) because I know that’s the better fight. That’s the fight where you’ll see more drama, more action. Imagine the intensity when that first bell rings. I know that firsthand as a fighter.”
He is talking much sense there and is spot on.
But that fight did not happen and you have to think Haney is going to fight Keyshawn Davis next up also.
They missed the boat on the Garcia vs Haney rematch. They had their shot and blew it.
Some notes on this:
- Garcia just beat Barrios – he’s riding momentum and looks sharp at the weight.
- Haney just beat Norman Jr. – he’s also fresh off a big win and in prime form.
- Both are coming off statement victories – the timing for a rematch has never been cleaner.
- They’re both active, healthy, and relevant at the same time – that rarely aligns in boxing.
- The public still wants closure after the first fight’s controversy and weight drama.
- Garcia’s win over Barrios proved he can handle a rugged pressure fighter – Haney is next.
- Haney’s win over Norman showed he can adapt and dominate – Garcia is the only unfinished business.
- The narrative is perfectly set: Garcia won the first, Haney wants redemption – fans are ready.
- Promoters and networks would have love it – both names carry weight right now.
- They missed the boat on this. They missed a huge opportunity.
Don’t expect the Ryan Garcia vs Haney rematch to happen as the time for it has past basically.
Boxing is doing great though and is returning to the masses and popularity all the time, as proven time and time again.
The sport is going to move on fine without the Garcia vs Haney rematch.
Check out our latest boxing news.