Ryan Garcia needs to play the long ball. While the fans await his fight announcement, the American boxer is in a feud with a man tasked with bringing him opponents, Oscar De La Hoya. He has maneuvered his way out of every potential fight and finds himself on the cusp of running short of suitors. But does Garcia need to lock horns with his promoter? Or should he take a leaf out of his newfound mentor Floyd Mayweather‘s book?

‘KingRy’ and De La Hoya have been at loggerheads since the boxer dropped the fight with Gervonta Davis in April last year. His stocks took a hit, and his career started to fall apart. Since then, both sides have sued and are involved in a legal tussle. The flames of the feud resulted in the American promoter throwing yet another opponent’s name. The 25-year-old rejected it again. “Ryan Garcia vs Oscar De La Hoya at this point” resonates with the story, and Garcia has to replicate what ‘Money’ did almost 18 years ago.

Walking the Floyd Mayweather path

The major bone of contention between Ryan Garcia and De La Hoya remains the uncertainty surrounding his contract. While no one is aware of the number of fights the California native is tied to Golden Boy Promotion, he needs to buy out his freedom. Floyd Mayweather did the same in 2006.

‘TBE’ was fighting under the Top Rank banner, and his contract had a unique buy-out clause. He wanted not just the money but control of his career. Therefore, in a stroke of genius, he enforced this clause and bought his freedom for $750,000. Following that, he faced De La Hoya, Conor McGregor, and Manny Pacquiao and racked up close to $750 million in revenue.

Garcia has also established himself as a PPV star. His 1.1 million PPV buys against ‘Tank’ speaks volumes of his stature. He might need to bid his time and let his contract run out. The 24-1 record holder can then take control of his career and put on PPV blockbusters instead of bothering about his resume or having a gold stray. However, this possibility is still a year away as he awaits the court ruling. Meanwhile, he needs to stack up his resume.

Ryan Garcia: Adding more fights under his belt before a challenge

Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez are the two names De La Hoya wanted to pair Garcia with. But Garcia is not a finished product. He has a quick pair of hands and a heavy left, but that’s the extent of his exciting skills. On the other hand, the lightweight decision has nothing but monsters.

Before Garcia climbs up the ladder and challenges the other champions, Teofimo Lopez and Subriel Matias, or even ‘The Dream’, he needs to add more experience. Undoubtedly, Rolando Romero is the champion he can stylistically beat. But the future beyond that is murky. He needs to pick apart other boxers before he sits down at the champion’s table.

Reaching the 140-pound division’s top will take a while for Garcia. He must mold himself into a more skilled boxer instead of jumping head-on to a title fight. Garcia hitting prime and his Golden Boy Promotion contract expiration will coincide, and then he can enjoy the perks of being a free agent.

The allure of free agency and a potential route to the Mayweather Promotions

What makes free agency a lucrative option? Money. Garcia was correct in rejecting the name that De La Hoya pitched, as there was no money involved. After Garcia has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, with a beefed-up resume and a fan-favorite image, he will reap the benefits of being a free agent.

The brand image of a boxer matters when he hits the free agency. Despite being a champion at 140 and a free agent, Haney cannot attract money fights. Garcia has money written all over him. He can put up money fights and set up matches with MMA fighters, and no one would bat an eye.

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

In addition, Garcia has the option to jump ship to Mayweather Promotions. Floyd Mayweather has mastered the art of shrewd business tactics in boxing and might be keen to add him to his stable. Garcia can’t afford to add another loss to his record as it will hamper his chances of clinching a title, as well as a lucrative deal from Mayweather Promotions, in case he opts for free agency, his brand value, and his negotiation power.

What do you make of this tussle between Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya? Do you think the American promoter should let Garcia decide his fate? Let us know in the moments below.

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