Oscar De La Hoya promoted the controversial clash between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney in April, and he believes the heated rivalry that goes back to the fighters’ amateur days should be one and done.
During the encounter last year, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) scored three knockdowns and a majority decision win against Haney that was later overturned to a no contest after it was revealed that Garcia tested positive for the performance enhancing drug ostarine. Garcia was suspended a year for the violation.
In September, Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) sued Garcia for battery, fraud, and breach of contract.
“If Ryan Garcia wants [the Haney rematch], then that’s what he wants,” De La Hoya told Fight Hub TV on Saturday on the red carpet of The Ring Awards. “Me personally, I see no need for it. Ryan destroyed him, and that’s the bottom line. We have to make the best fights possible … There are fighters that we can match up Ryan with anyone and make a terrific event.”
De La Hoya has previously labeled Haney as a “shot” fighter due to the beating he absorbed and didn’t deem the sequel to be worthy as one of the top fights in 2025.
Instead, De La Hoya is more inclined to pit Garcia against The Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez Jr.
“Yeah, absolutely. If [Garcia and Lopez] are the best at the moment, and that’s what people want to see, we have to make it,” said De La Hoya. “I sound like a broken record here but I was once a fighter. I’m a promoter now, but I think like a fighter and I want to see the best fight the best."
Garcia said “It's looking like I’m going to fight Teofimo Lopez” during his media availability at The Ring Awards.
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for Ring Magazine. Follow him on X and Instagram.