Ryan Garcia is being linked to a host of major fights at present, but promoter Oscar De La Hoya believes that there is one man that sticks out as the ‘perfect choice’ for the reigning WBC welterweight champion.
Last month, Garcia needed just two rounds to knock out Conor Benn and defend his world title for the first time, but since then his list of potential next opponents has already reached double figures – as a number of fighters seek to challenge one of boxing’s biggest names.
‘King Ry’ also has only one fight left on his current contract with Golden Boy Promotions, with many fight fans feeling as though a move to Zuffa Boxing and a possible showdown with Shakur Stevenson could follow in 2027.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, De La Hoya admitted that he would love to see Garcia rematch fierce rival Devin Haney in his next bout or alternatively face current WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
“We are hoping that we can sit down fairly soon and map out the next fight for him [Garcia], which should be massive.
I think that this division, right now, is so hot – and Ryan is the hottest fighter in it. So, we are excited to start talks very soon.
The guy that I wanted in the first place, Devin Haney, [is who I want him to fight].
Devin Haney and Teofimo are the biggest fights out there for Ryan and he is at an elite level right now. He is the guy who should be fighting the top guys and the very best.
What I love about Ryan is that he has something very competitive in him, where he wants to fight the very best and he wants to show the world that he is the best.
So, a Teofimo or a Devin Haney is the perfect choice for him.”
Garcia famously fought Haney in 2024 and dropped ‘The Dream’ twice on his way to an upset points win, but the result was overturned to a no contest after ‘King Ry’ failed a drugs test.
As for a clash with Lopez, while ‘The Takeover’ is the reigning WBA champion, a bout between he and Garcia would not be a title unification if it were to happen next, as the WBA have informed Lopez that he must first take on Jack Catterall in order to avoid being stripped of his belt.
Garcia has also recently been linked to a shock bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr, with Garcia open to the fight, but only if Mayweather puts his 50-0 record on the line.
