Golden Boy Promotions supremo, Oscar De La Hoya, has been full of praise for the future prospects of two of his brightest talents, giving an intriguing appraisal of Ryan Garcia master plan and hailing Devin Haney’s performance against Prograis as “brilliant”.
In a recent interaction with the media, De La Hoya has pushed forward the idea of Garcia serving as a “gatekeeper” for big-money fights at the 140-lb weight division. Coming off an impressive knockout victory against Luke Campbell back in January, the undefeated prospect is no stranger to high stakes, action-packed fights, as he has been featuring in exciting match-ups traditionally reserved for boxers much more advanced in their careers.
Speaking of Garcia, De La Hoya said, “I see Ryan Garcia as a gatekeeper at 140 for the big MONEY fights. He had a breakout year in 2020 and his popularity is surging. If there’s MONEY to be had at 140, Garcia is the man fighters will have to get past.”
Although some critics might argue that using the term ‘gatekeeper’ to describe a rising star like Garcia is a bit premature, it is important to understand where De La Hoya is coming from. The boxing mogul sees Garcia as the perfect figure to ‘control’ the big-money fights, not as another obstacle for his promotional stable, but as a superstar who has the potential to turn all his matches into high-profile, lucrative affairs. That’s the edge De La Hoya believes Garcia offers.
Switching his attention to Haney, the former six-division world champion cannot help but gush over the lightweight’s performance against Prograis. “Haney was Brilliant against Prograis. He showed the world that he can fight on the inside and the outside, and he’s a real threat at 140.”, De La Hoya noted.
Haney’s win over Prograis saw him once again demonstrate his sheer talent, outboxing the hard-hitting veteran to secure an accomplished unanimous decision. Haney exhibited a mixture of speed, cunning, and industry to stifle Prograis at every turn, proving his worth as a legitimate contender within the stacked 140-lb division.
The backing of an influential figure like De La Hoya carries a significant weight in the world of boxing, and the praise he heaped on Garcia and Haney is likely to boost their stock even further. Overseeing the careers of such talented fighters would make any promoter salivate, and it’s clear to see De La Hoya has big expectations for both of his prodigies.
With the ongoing situation surrounding the pandemic and the restrictions it places on potential fights, it is more critical than ever for boxers to make a significant splash in each of their outings. De La Hoya’s eagerness to put Garcia in the frame for big-money fights aligns perfectly with this necessity for explosive matchups. Meanwhile, Haney’s noteworthy performance against Prograis also makes him a standout athlete among the ranks.
As boxing navigates these uncertain times, the sport will significantly rely on captivating figures like Garcia and Haney to keep the fans hooked. If De La Hoya’s words are any indication, then the future of the sport would seem to be in safe, and exceedingly capable hands.
