10/01/24
Not quite your favorite segment in boxing, but Oscar De La Hoya decided to clap back at Devin Haney.
The Golden Boy Promotions head has officially broken his silence following a bombshell lawsuit filed by WBC 140-pound champion Devin Haney against both Golden Boy and fellow boxer Ryan García. The lawsuit, filed on September 27 has sent shockwaves through the boxing world and sparked a heated debate over the April 2024 bout between Haney and García.
Photo Credit: Golden Boy
Haney’s lawsuit centers on their highly anticipated fight, which initially ended with a dramatic upset win for García. However, that victory was later overturned after García tested positive for a banned substance. In the lawsuit, Haney alleges a range of serious claims, including battery, fraud, and unjust enrichment. Beyond seeking financial damages, Haney is demanding a full review of the fight’s financial accounting, a move that has rattled the sport’s promotional landscape.
According to Haney’s legal team, Golden Boy has failed to provide Haney with his rightful share of the event’s profits. Under his contract, Haney is entitled to 47% of the revenue from the fight. However, his team claims that Golden Boy has withheld those funds despite a New York commission consent order that García must return his guaranteed purse to the promoter following the drug test debacle. Golden Boy allegedly claims that they will not share the additional revenue generated by the forfeiture, sparking accusations of financial foul play.
De La Hoya responded sharply to the allegations, stating, “Enough is enough. Every fighter who has worked with Golden Boy has always been paid exactly what they are owed and given all documents they were entitled to. Period. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply false. If the Haneys are still having trouble understanding their contract, we will be happy to walk them through it, again.”
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Allegations of not fully compensating fighters has dogged De La Hoya for years. In a September 2020 lawsuit, Golden Boy’s biggest star, Canelo Alvarez filed suit against the company. Canelo alleged that De La Hoya, along with DAZN, breached their agreement and only offered to pay him half of his guaranteed purse. The sides settled the dispute, with Canelo becoming a free agent.
A 2022 lawsuit, filed by “GGG” Gennady Golovkin alleged that Golden Boy shorted him in excess of $3M for his 2018 bout with Alvarez. According to court documents, Golden Boy admitting to erroneously shorting Golovkin, but claimed the total was about $1.3M. Golden Boy also settled that lawsuit.
Photo Credit: Golden Boy
As the legal battle between Haney and Golden Boy continues to escalate, the case is set to have major implications not only for both fighters but also for the broader boxing industry, where contract disputes and promotional conflicts often take center stage. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely as both sides prepare for a lengthy and potentially far-reaching legal showdown.
Known for being outspoken and unapologetic, De La Hoya didn’t stop there. He has promised to further address the lawsuit on his popular social media series, “Clap Back Thursday,” where he frequently responds to critics and addresses controversies head-on.
Tune in on Thursday to hear what he has to say.
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