Oscar De La Hoya is displeased. This is not the way things are settled in boxing—at least the way it used to be in his time. As with everything, boxing also seems to have undergone changes. One of the most significant developments the sport might have witnessed in recent times could be the lawsuit Devin Haney filed against Ryan Garcia for ‘battery, fraud, and unjust enrichment’. Haney initiated legal action against The Golden Boy Promotions as well. Many feel the move might prove a landmark one for boxing.

Without knocking on the doors of the court, many fans, champions, and old-timers feel that there are alternate ways to settle the issue. ‘The Golden Boy’ seems to be belonging to that league. In the latest, several fans rallied behind him as he shared what Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia could have ideally done to solve the matter. His idea followed a belief that Haney might have already passed his prime to take on more capable opponents. Perhaps ‘The Dream’ could be facing an uphill task to set the record straight.

Oscar De La Hoya: Posers for ‘The Dream’

Several channels shared the brief interaction with De La Hoya. He spilled the beans on Ryan Garcia’s tentative return next year. As most fans are aware, Garcia is currently serving a year-long ban following his testing positive for banned substances. ‘The Golden Boy’ revealed that he had had a meeting with ‘KingRy’ and together they seemed to have chalked out a few plans.

“But obviously we have to deal with this frivolous lawsuit that they slapped on us, but that’s all it is; it’s noise,” said De La Hoya. He shared how such a measure would have been unimaginable back when he used to fight. “What I would do is call that fighter out, get back in the ring, and beat his a**,” he said.

However, when checked for the much-anticipated rematch between Haney and Garcia, Oscar De La Hoya seemingly entertained other thoughts. It would have definitely raised a few eyebrows as the former world champion said, “I don’t think so because I believe that Devin Haney is a shot fighter.”

Chorus together

Those who feel Haney’s action should be considered from a broader perspective of the sport might oppose Oscar De La Hoya’s point. Nonetheless, from some of the comments that flew in, many appear to be on board with the Barcelona Olympic gold medalist. Let’s check what they had to say.

This fan, for instance, expressed a strong belief in Oscar De La Hoya’s verdict. Devin Haney had been carving out a career taking on fighters out of their prime. Instead of improving, the move rather depletes a fighter’s skills. So inevitably, as it was bound to happen, Haney met an opponent who dropped him to the canvas. Now he’s crying over the spilled milk. The fan said, “Devin Haney was always going to get knocked out one day. The biggest risk he took was Ryan Garcia because before that he fought smaller guys or old guys. He never built himself to be durable enough to take punishment. This has exposed the brand, and they can’t handle this L.”

This user too felt that Oscar De La Hoya had made a valid point. They expressed a curiosity to see the kind of response De La Hoy’s comment would elicit from Haney. “Oscar talking truth towards the end. I have to see if that broke Haney. That can mess up a person mental,” the user said.

The following fan too defended Oscar De La Hoya. Out of sheer bias, detractors might disagree with him. However, the truthfulness of ‘The Golden Boy’s comments remains unchanged. They said, “The haters will criticize Oscar for these comments, but it’s the truth.”

One of the users, responding to a comment, added that Devin Haney might perhaps continue to chase easier opponents to maintain a successful record. This is what the user said: “He’s just going to fight the weaker champions.”

Then this fan went a step ahead. Not only did they call out Haney’s fans, they also roped in Shakur Stevenson. But it appears they held Bill Haney responsible for lining up matchups against older, out-of-form fights. It could be the reason why Stevenson also might be avoiding fights against competent opponents. “Devin fans, weather you like it or not, Bill Haney overdid the matchups with smaller guys and old guys and never made Devin stronger or durable enough to take punishment. That’s why Shakur is running from power because all he fought was weak guys at Top Rank at 130 ✌🏾”

Clearly, the issue has sharply divided the fans into distinct camps.

Going by the Garcia, De La Hoya camp, it seems, first and foremost, Devin Haney might have to step up and prove them wrong in the ring. Nevertheless, there are a few, like Eddie Hearn, who has worked with Devin Haney, who feel the legal action might have a significant impact on the sport. In the coming weeks, fans will be eagerly watching out to see how things unfold.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree with Oscar De La Hoya?