Oscar De La Hoya Calls For a Promoter’s Summit to Save Boxing
Many in the boxing community were unsatisfied in the aftermath of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s (53-2-2, 39 KOs) unanimous decision victory over Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) on September 30 in Las Vegas. As a result, Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya is now urging that the sport’s power brokers come together for the betterment of boxing.
ISSUING A CHALLENGE
De La Hoya was heavily critical of the fight. Following the contest, he took to social media with his comments about the match.
Exasperated over what he witnessed in Las Vegas, the promoter also posted a video calling out his fellow promoters:
“We have to come together. Promoters, Eddie Hearn, Al Haymon, Bob Arum, whoever’s out there, let’s come together . . . let’s meet – the power of the minds and come up with something because boxing can die. I’m calling you all out.”
DOING YOUR PART
In fairness, De La Hoya is correct in saying the sport needs to make more big fights. However, his message is misleading because there have been cross-promotion fights such as Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia and Naoya Inoue-Stephen Fulton this year.
Additionally, he must accept the role he has played in certain fights not happening. De La Hoya had folks excited about his fighter Jaime Munguia, facing David Benavidez. Yet, that fight got scrapped after Team Munguia pulled out.
De La Hoya’s message will pull at the emotional strings of fans who crave the best to fight the best. But he is fully aware of how difficult it is to make high-profile, big-money matches that the public demands. They often don’t occur because of the tug-of-war for power and money.
Promoters are in constant pursuit of wanting the best for their fighters and themselves. As a result, they are unwilling to capitulate at the negotiating table. De La Hoya is guilty of this more than anyone.
On the surface, the man behind Golden Boy is being quite reasonable. But will De La Hoya follow up his words with tangible action? If not, his words will ring hollow.
