“You Can Send a Thousand Lawyers to My Office”: Under Attack From Canelo, Oscar De La Hoya Gives Devin Haney a Harsh Reality Check
Oscar De La Hoya, the iconic figure behind Golden Boy Promotions, finds himself embroiled in yet another controversy, this time with rising boxing star Devin Haney. Haney, known for his speed and precision in the ring, has publicly accused De La Hoya of withholding rightful pay-per-view earnings from his recent bout against Ryan Garcia. The dispute has escalated, with Haney alleging weeks of ignored calls and unmet financial promises from the Golden Boy camp.
The rift between De La Hoya and Haney comes amidst a turbulent period for the promoter, who has also been at odds with former protege Canelo Alvarez over similar financial grievances. Their once-famed partnership has dissolved into bitter exchanges, culminating in legal threats and cease-and-desist orders exchanged between the camps.
In a candid press conference following the William Zepeda vs. Giovanni Cabrera fight, De La Hoya defended his stance, asserting that the pay-per-view numbers did not meet Haney’s expectations. “The fight didn’t sell the way they expected, that’s it,” De La Hoya stated, addressing reporters with his trademark confidence. He invited Haney to scrutinize Golden Boy’s financial records, adamantly declaring transparency in his dealings despite mounting accusations.
The promoter said, “The fight didn’t sell the way they expected, that’s it. I mean when a Canelo and then now a Shakur (Stevenson) is attacking my integrity, is attacking my company, then maybe there’s something I must do about it.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing weighed in, suggesting that fighters like Haney and Garcia often overestimate their potential earnings based on inflated projections. “Because people just bluff people and get in their head about how much money they’re going to make in a fight,” Hearn remarked in a recent podcast, highlighting the deceptive nature of financial negotiations in the sport.
“They just didn’t perform the way Devin Haney thought they were going to perform. And I told him, look you can check my books, you can do whatever you can. You can send a thousand lawyers to my office and check everything. I don’t hide anything. Its just the facts are the facts,” Oscar De La Hoya stated to Fight Hub TV.
“I’m sure both were disappointed with their numbers, for you know that their cheque for the last one.”
The dispute underscores deeper tensions within the boxing industry regarding financial transparency and athlete compensation. De La Hoya’s willingness to confront such allegations head-on reflects both his steadfastness and the high stakes involved in managing top-tier boxing talent.
Hearn said, “Because people just bluff people and get in their head about how much money they’re going to make in a fight.”
As the controversy unfolds, fans and pundits alike are left to ponder the veracity of Haney’s claims and De La Hoya’s defense. The outcome of this dispute could potentially reshape how financial agreements are structured in future boxing matches, impacting fighters’ expectations and promoter responsibilities.
In the meantime, the boxing world waits with bated breath for further developments, as Haney and De La Hoya brace for a possible legal showdown over what constitutes fair compensation in the realm of professional sports.
