Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya spent some time talking with reporters about Ryan Garcia’s win over Mario Barrios to claim the WBC welterweight title and what that means for his future. Here’s some excerpts of what De La Hoya had to say down below.
De La Hoya on Garcia’s performance against Barrios
“I saw a composed Ryan. I saw a focused Ryan. I saw a Ryan that knew he had to win, so therefore we saw a complete Ryan. We say a Ryan that was well trained, that was determined to win that world title, and at times when he throws those combinations and he lands, he gets a little reckless so it’s like ‘hey, get your composure, got back to your jab, have fun.’ That’s exactly what he was doing. The speed was too much for (Barrios).”
On Garcia dropping Barrios early in the fight
“I was not surprised that he got up. Barrios is a tough son of a gun. I knew if he went down…this is going to be a long fight. Once you get hit — when you’re a fighter, you get hit and go down — you warm up. Your body warms up, your chin becomes granite and that’s exactly what happened to Barrios, that’s why the fight lasted 12 rounds. He’s a tough guy.”
On Garcia matching up with Stevenson
“I love the fight. I mean, look, there’s so many options that are for Ryan now. Everybody wants to fight him, everybody wants to dethrone the pretty boy. And now that he has a world title everybody is after him, so I think it’s just a matter of regrouping, letting Ryan rest, and he’ll make his decision once he’s ready.”
On his current contractual situation with Garcia and if he’s worried Zuffa or someone else might make a run at him
“Well, we do have him for a few more fights. So, still promoting him. And whatever he decides after our contract is over, then that’s his decision. I can get him to the world title, I can help him and guide him in his career and get him the right opponents and then whatever happens after that, it’s up to the fighter. I have no say whatsoever.”
On whether a Haney rematch is next
“I would like to see that fight, actually, with Devin Haney…It’ll be a big matchup. Bigger than the first time around. It’ll be huge here in Las Vegas so I would love to see that…A rematch would be pretty exciting.”
On whether they want to pursue a Rolly Romero rematch
“It’s a possibility. I mean, anything’s a possibility. I think boxing is funny, you’re as good as your last fight. That’s what boxing is. Ryan looked great, he’s on top of the world with a world title, he’s got a target on his back, everybody wants to fight him. So he’s got fighters to choose from now. So, whatever he decides.”
