Ryan Garcia sounded off on Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins during his latest press conference.
In April of this year, Garcia started a new chapter in his boxing career after suffering his first professional boxing loss at the hands of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.
Since then, ‘King Ryan’ and his promoters, De La Hoya and Hopkins of Golden Boy Promotions, have escalated their toxic relationship into a public feud.
Earlier today, November 30, Garcia appeared for the final press conference before his upcoming boxing match against Oscar Duarte on Saturday.
The 25-year-old utilized his microphone time to address the ongoing situation with his promoters, starting with the following comments toward Hopkins:
“I couple things I wanna touch. One thing that’s been on my heart is the statements that Bernard [Hopkins] made where he’ll decide if I’m gonna finish or if I should continue boxing after this fight. He don’t decide that, my coach does, my team does. Everybody that grinds with me day in and day out, that’s who decides, and ultimately, god decides, not him. Nobody was telling him when to stop boxing. He stopped boxing at what, 45? So, kudos to him, but he don’t determine that.”
Ryan Garcia continued by referring to Bernard Hopkins’ last boxing match, an eight-round knockout loss against Joe Smith Jr. in December 2016:
“He also said that he calls out all the bullsh*t, the lies. Last time I checked, he said he’d never lost to a white boy then Joe Smith Jr. knocked him out of the ring. Last time I checked, Joe Smith Jr. was white. So, you know, they be lying.”
Watch Ryan Garcia’s latest comments toward Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins below:
‼️ Ryan Garcia PUBLICLY FIRES BACK at his Golden Boy promoters Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya at the presser ahead of his fight vs Oscar Duarte on Saturday night: “Bernard said he'd never lose to a white boy, then Joe Smith Jr knocked him out of the ring.”
[🎥 @DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/K9WMpRfaPf
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 30, 2023
Ryan Garcia also calls out Oscar De La Hoya before re-focusing on his upcoming fight
Ryan Garcia has publicly expressed his issues with Oscar De La Hoya several times in the past. With that said, Garcia decided to reiterate his negative opinions about the boxing legend during the previously mentioned press conference.
‘King Ryan’ had this to say:
“Another thing I wanted to touch on is Oscar [De La Hoya] saying that we misinterpreted what they say. It’s plain English. I didn’t hear anybody speaking any language I don’t know. So, you know, it’s very clear to me that they are backing this guy [Oscar Duarte] to beat me just like they thought [Romero] Duno was going to beat me.”
Ryan Garcia concluded by assuring fans he’s focused on his upcoming fight against Oscar Duarte:
“At the end of the day, I come to show what I bring, and I’m laser-focused. That’s where this confidence comes from. Thank god for everything, and all praise to the most high, Jesus Christ.”
Earlier this year, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions pursued legal action to ensure Ryan Garcia fulfills his contractual obligations. Garcia attempted to get the complaint filing dismissed, but it’s unclear if his request will be granted.
In the meantime, ‘King Ryan’ plans to extend his professional boxing record to 24-1 with a win against Oscar Duarte (26-1-1) on Saturday inside the Toyota Arena in Houston, Texas.