Oscar De La Hoya, a Hall of Fame boxer and the head of Golden Boy Promotions, is no stranger to the spotlight, and he’s back in it as he hypes a big fight this weekend. On May 2, Ryan Garcia(24-1, 20 KOs) returns to the ring after serving a one-year suspension for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine in his 2024 bout with Devin Haney – a fight that was initially ruled a majority decision win for Garcia but was later changed to a no-contest. He’ll face Rolando “Rolly” Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in a highly anticipated showdown in Times Square, New York, which will be televised live by The Ring. De La Hoya, who has won world titles in six weight classes during his career, is confident in Garcia’s ability. He believes Romero is the perfect opponent for a knockout and predicts the main event could end in less than a minute on the electric New York stage.
De La Hoya’s Bizarre Workout
In a recent Instagram video posted by De La Hoya, he looked noticeably out of shape, but didn’t let that stop him from enthusiastically promoting his fighters. De La Hoya promoted walking slowly on the treadmill in a room with a dumbbell in each hand. Wearing high socks and a white top made him look terrible. He announced, “Our fighters are ready to go, though. Check out their media workouts tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET at the Manhattan Center here in NYC live on…”
On the opponent of Garcia, De la Hoya said,
“I saw Rolly the other day – he looks like an animal. It’s a dangerous fight if you keep your cool. Ryan has quick reflexes. He’s a fighter with something to prove. This could be one of the most exciting short fights in history.”
De La Hoya added, “Ryan’s attitude is different now. All eyes will be on boxing, on Ryan Garcia, and on the rest of the fighters on May 2nd. This is a victory for the sport… May 2nd would not have happened without Ryan Garcia. He is the sport of boxing.
High Stakes for Garcia’s Legacy Amid Pre-Fight Tensions
Garcia’s return has massive implications for his career. A loss could further tarnish his reputation, already tarnished by the doping scandal that branded him a cheater in the eyes of many. Coming back with a defeat against Romero would be a major blow, potentially stalling his momentum for good. De La Hoya’s prediction of a quick knockout adds to the pressure, but if Garcia delivers, it could be a pivotal moment in rebuilding his image. The buildup hasn’t been without drama either.
Tensions flared at the Garcia-Romero press conference when De La Hoya got into a heated exchange with Bill Haney, Devin Haney’s father, stirring up old rivalries and adding fuel to an already fiery event. The confrontation, captured on video, showed the raw emotions of the boxing world as fight night approaches.
For Garcia, Friday’s clash in Times Square is more than a comeback; it’s a chance to reclaim his story. De La Hoya’s unwavering belief in his fighter sets the stage for a blockbuster night, but the spotlight will be unforgiving. Whether Garcia can channel his hunger into a statement win or crumble under the pressure remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, all eyes will be on New York when the bell rings.
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