“Genuinely concerned about him,” Promoter Oscar De La Hoya sparks concerns as Ryan Garcia’s 143lbs catchweight choice raises eyebrows

Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya speaks on Ryan Garcia and his concern over the 140 pound catchweight choice.

“Genuinely concerned about him,” Promoter Oscar De La Hoya sparks concerns as Ryan Garcia’s 143lbs catchweight choice raises eyebrows

Oscar De La Hoya talks about Ryan Garcia ( Image via X / Imago )

Promoter Oscar De La Hoya expressed genuine concern about boxer Ryan Garcia. He revealed that Garcia requested a 143-lb catchweight for his fight against Oscar Duarte. The promoter and the fighter have not seen eye to eye for some time now.

Oscar De La Hoya is an influential figure in the world of boxing. He recently spoke on why Ryan Garcia vs Oscar Duarte is at a 143lbs catchweight. Speaking to BoxingScene, De La Hoya said: 

Ryan Garcia wanted a catchweight at 143lbs, so we made it happen. That has always been the contractual weight. I am concerned because why not 140lbs? If you're a professional, you're going to train hard and work hard, 140lbs should not be a problem. It's concerning. I'm genuinely concerned about him and where he's at. It's my right to be concerned because I care.
Oscar De La Hoya on Ryan Garcia
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Oscar De La Hoya is a renowned Mexican-American boxer and promoter. He earned the nickname “The Golden Boy” after winning a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

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De La Hoya achieved multiple world championships in different weight classes during his boxing career and became a significant figure in the sport. In addition to his success as a boxer, he transitioned into a successful career as a boxing promoter, founding Golden Boy Promotions.

The fight between Ryan Garcia and Oscar Duarte will occur at the Houston Toyota Center. With a record of 23-1 and 19 knockouts, Ryan Garcia faces Oscar Duarte, a Mexican boxer with a record of 26-1-1 and 21 knockouts, in the 140-pound division. Garcia’s last fight was a seventh-round knockout defeat to Gervonta Davis.

Ryan Garcia on fighting Oscar Duarte at 140 pounds

The 25-year-old Ryan Garcia acknowledged Oscar Duarte as a dangerous threat to his career. However, he deemed the fight necessary to prepare for a 140-pound title run.

Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte
Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte ( Image via X )

Garcia sees Duarte as a challenging opponent. He highlighted the importance of facing such threats for his growth and readiness for the super lightweight championship. In a recent interview with BoxingScene, Garcia said: 

This guy [Duarte] is a threat. He's dangerous. So people who don't like me, you never know, waiting for that one punch. For the people who do love me, you're about to see domination. I want to become a champion at 140. How can I become a champion if I am fighting a guy who’s not going to prepare me for a championship fight?
Ryan Garcia on fight with Oscar Duarte

This fight is considered strategic in Garcia’s journey. He viewed it as an opportunity to showcase his skills and shine while balancing the inherent risks involved. Oscar Duarte boasts an impressive boxing record of 26-1-1 with 21 victories by knockout.

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