It means a lot when a boxer who has held eleven titles in six-weight divisions sees the future in a prospect who has just started making a mark on the world stage. There’s no point denying that the former world champion and the man behind Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, has a keen eye. That’s why he found that spark in eighteen-year-old Ryan Garcia and took him under his wings in November 2016.

Proverbially, the duo hasn’t looked back ever since. With twenty-three wins and no losses, Ryan Garcia has yet to win a proper world title. But the twenty-four-year-old Californian is already counted among the sport’s big names. Garcia’s prowess in the ring is equally noteworthy besides the colossal popularity he enjoys on social media.

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Especially the young boxer’s last couple of fights proved that he is ready for big fights. That’s why De La Hoya also deemed it fit that his ward should fight someone credible. A battle that would pave the way for Garcia’s legacy.

Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has every confidence in Ryan Garcia

The former champion’s trust and belief in his protege seem boundless. He’s even willing to risk a gamble that pits him against another boxing great.

Early today, @espnringside, through its Instagram page, shared Oscar De La Hoya’s thoughts on his world-famous protege. The latter said, “I’ve always said that Ryan Garcia can become even bigger than Canelo, bigger than Oscar De La Hoya, bigger than whoever(s) out there.“

The undisputed Super Middleweight champion, ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, is one of the biggest names in boxing today. With fifty-eight wins, two losses, and two draws, Alvarez finds himself among the greatest boxers ever. It would be interesting to note that he once shared the Gold Boy Promotions stable with Ryan Garcia. But disagreements related to opponents he would be taking on and money-relates issues surrounding prospective bouts led to an acrimonious separation in 2020.

Anyhow, the fact that De La Hoya considers Ryan Garcia to go beyond even his accomplishments says something about his conviction in a youngster’s ability. Whether he could upstage one of boxing’s most prominent names remains to be seen. But ‘KingRy,’ undoubtedly, is ready for the world.

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What is your take on De La Hoya’s prophecy? Do you agree with him? Then, do let us know in the comments section below.