Amid growing uncertainty and frustration, Ryan Garcia has already chosen his next opponent, Oscar De La Hoya. The American boxer is on the lookout for a perfect opponent in the ring to elevate his career after dismantling Oscar Duarte last year. However, it appears he wants to shoot down every proposal that his promoter brings and is instead ready to take him by the horns. But can the Golden Boy Promotion lynchpin force his way?

‘KingRy’ flirted with Rolando Romero for a fight and then jumped to Devin Haney. Then came along Floyd Mayweather, who swayed him, and the lightweight boxer then again jumped back to ‘Rolly Romero’ and ditched Haney. But his promoter wasn’t pleased. De La Hoya tried to put the negotiations on the table, but Rolly Romero priced him out of the negotiations. Isaac Cruz also met a similar fate. While De La Hoya was keen on Jose Ramirez, the 25-year-old boxer again turned down the fight publicly. Is it turning into Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar De La Hoya, as the former said?

Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar De La Hoya: What has been said and why?

Well, Ryan Garcia has been vocal about his intentions. He wants to cherry-pick his opponent, as he harbors the intention of becoming a champion next. Meanwhile, De La Hoya has always brought him a tougher fight stylistically. Both Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez would enter the ring as favorites against Garcia based on their resumes and skill sets.

On the other hand, Garcia wants a fight that does well on the business front as well. Therefore, the California native was quick to brush aside former unified champion Ramirez. “No Ramirez. Let’s make that clear,” he wrote on his X handle. Following this, Garcia threw a humorous shade on his promoter as he declared, “Ryan Garcia vs Oscar De La Hoya at this point.” But who has the upper hand in this tussle?

Can the American promoter impose his will on ‘KingRy’?

The short answer is no. De La Hoya and Garcia are already engaged in a legal battle over the latter’s contract with Golden Boy Promotions. The tensions are already running high between them, and it appears Garcia is growing skeptical of his promoter.

A promoter should be working with his fighter. Instead of setting up fights, he should discuss the prospects and implications with his fighter. However, it seems this is not the case here. Garcia could have his pick in Rolly Romero or Isaac Cruz, favorable fights for him on paper, as he is still molding himself into a finished product.

Read More: Predicting Knockout, Shane Mosley Jr. Claims Rolly Romero vs Ryan Garcia Is ‘More Exciting’ Than Devin Haney Option After Floyd Mayweather Shares the Poster

De La Hoya’s job is to bring suitors, and Garcia’s is to have his pick. Both have to work in tandem. But the former can’t simply press his fighter with a choice.

What do you make of this Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar De La Hoya saga? Do you believe Garcia is playing hardball with his promoter? Let us know in the comments below.

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