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Oscar De La Hoya chooses his side after breaking down WBC Terence Crawford: “I thought you were sincere”

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Oscar De La Hoya picks his side after WBC strips Terence Crawford: “I thought you had integrity”

Oscar De La Hoya “Applause on Thursday” is usually one of the more tongue-in-cheek boxing segments on the Internet, but in the latest edition, the former pound-for-pound star was in no mood for jokes.

The 52-year-old was frustrated, referring to the increasingly strained relationship between the WBC and Terence Crawford – a dispute in urgent need of redress after Crawford was stripped of his super middleweight title for what WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said were unpaid sanctioning fees.

Crawford responded with an unfiltered response on Instagram, prompting De La Hoya to publicly question his position as the undisputed three-weight champion and lend his support to the sanctioning body. What followed was a fiery, expletive-filled monologue that immediately set the tone.

“I won’t make you laugh because I’m fucking pissed today.

“Terence Crawford yesterday told the WBC to basically f**k off and is refusing to pay them contractual penalties for the $50 million Canelo fight. Has he forgotten where he comes from and how he got there? How do you think you got to this level? Because of the ranking system? You have a chance to make that kind of money.

“You have been paying sanctions fees for a long time. There is nothing up-to-date here. There is nothing groundbreaking.”

De La Hoya, now a top promoter, went further, accusing Crawford of acting as a spokesman for TKO, who along with Sela recently founded Zuffa Boxing, a up-to-date promotional company headed by Dana White and Turki Alalshikh, owner of The Ring magazine.

“It looks like you’re reading a script or something. It looks like the monopoly money has really gone to your head. That’s not how champions behave. There’s a plan with TKO. They want to create one belt, one unit that will control the entire sport, but it’s sorrowful that they made you the spokesman? Of all people? I thought you were sincere. I thought you had respect for boxing and the sport.”

De La Hoya then drew a line in the sand, explaining what some of the punitive fees are for – including housing former combatants and paying hospital bills – before returning the focus to Crawford.

“So just because you made it, Crawford, and you made $50 million, you don’t want to ever pay that fee again? That’s wrong. The TKO group has a plan and I will do everything in my power to protect boxing because it’s a sport that has given me everything.”

Zuffa Boxing will organize 12 boxing events in 2026, starting in January.

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Boxing

Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve

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Image: Ryan Garcia Won’t Accept Terms For Stevenson Fight

In recent comments, Garcia said that Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly announced the emergency plan.

“If Conor doesn’t want it, we’ll go back to it with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia told Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.

That alone was revealing. Players who believe that an agreement is imminent tend to limit their message. When alternative opponents are publicly mentioned, it often means that there are still obstacles related to money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.

Then another wrinkle appeared when Óscar De La Hoya publicly supported a completely different fight.

“I’m most interested in a rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be massive enough to accommodate Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Now Garcia’s public trail includes three separate names: Benn, Romero and Devin Haney. Rarely does a finalized fight sound like this.

Benn’s matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more recognizable names in the UK and has now added to his profile after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest social media attractions and continues to attract attention regardless of the results.

Put these names together and you have clear commercial value.

But picking a fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to the Golden Boy. Benn’s modern setting creates fresh business layers. Place also matters. An event in the US, an event in the UK, or support from Saudi Arabia would change the economy.

This helps explain why backup options are already provided.

A rematch with Haney also remains valuable as unfinished business continues to sell. Their first meeting generated headlines, controversy and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In state-of-the-art boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.

Meanwhile, Romero proposes the simplest, practical way. It is known, accessible and connected to Garcia’s recent history.

Ryan may really prefer Benn, but preference doesn’t always dictate the schedule. This is usually what promoters, networks and time do.

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Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next

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Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next

Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.

Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.

Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.

In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.

“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”

Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.

“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.

“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.

“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”

Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.

But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.

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Tim Bradley wonders if Inoue is tired of fighting

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Image: Tim Bradley Wonders if Inoue Is Becoming Battle-Worn

Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.

“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”


He also pointed out a recurring error in Inoue’s style, noting moments where the undisputed champion can be caught stepping in.

“He’s defenseless. He’s getting hit. That’s what it is,” Bradley said. “Like Nakatani.”

Bradley praised the way Nakatani uses his range and setup play, saying it all starts with his lead hand.

“It all depends on the leading hand and whether he can get his opponent into the action,” Bradley said. “He wants you to reach so he can teach.”

Still, Bradley sees Inoue as a more adaptable player and therefore can’t fully engage in an upset conversation.

“You can never predict. You look at Inoue’s fights and you see this guy doesn’t fight the same,” Bradley said. “He always adapts his game to the style he is dealing with.”

Bradley also questioned whether years of activity could compensate Inoue after his recent struggles.

“He was hit too tough,” Bradley said. “I wonder if he’s getting tired of fighting?”

Even with these concerns, Bradley expects both men to be in top shape should the fight happen.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, man,” Bradley said. “These guys are going to beat the living [expletive] from each other.”

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Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17

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