Oscar De La Hoya, the outspoken Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions, launched a scathing rebuttal on Thursday, addressing swirling rumours about Jaime Munguia and delivering pointed critiques of Canelo Álvarez and Jake Paul.
De La Hoya began by setting the record straight regarding reports that Munguia, a promising fighter within the Golden Boy stable, was poised to sign with Top Rank. Speculation suggested Munguia was preparing for a bout on ESPN, fueling rumours of a shift in promotional affiliations.
De La Hoya quickly dismissed these claims, clarifying that Munguia remains with Golden Boy. “Lots of rumours saying that Jaime Munguia is going to Top Rank. Wrong! He is still with Golden Boy but is just fighting on ESPN for his next fight. It’s just a different network,” De La Hoya stated. He emphasized that any future arrangement with Top Rank would only be for a single bout, not a full-time switch.
In a subsequent outburst, De La Hoya turned his attention to Canelo Álvarez, who is set to fight Edgar Berlanga on September 14. De La Hoya was critical of this matchup, labelling it as a fight that fails to excite fans. “The fight has been made, Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga.
A fight that nobody asked for. Fans are starting to boycott Canelo for continuing to duck; you know who [David Benavidez]. Also, they are going up against the UFC at the Sphere. Good luck with making a splash with that one,” he remarked. De La Hoya’s comments reflect ongoing dissatisfaction among some fans regarding Álvarez’s choice of opponents and his perceived reluctance to take on certain challenges.
Jake Paul, the YouTuber turned boxer, was also in De La Hoya’s crosshairs following his recent victory over a UFC fighter. De La Hoya criticized Paul’s approach to boxing, suggesting that his recent opponents have not sufficiently tested his skills. “Jake Paul won his last fight over the weekend. Jake,
I have told you before that if you want to legitimize yourself in the sport of boxing, you have to take a different path,
- ” De La Hoya said. He proposed that Paul needs to face more credible opponents to gain respect within the boxing community. “I have the perfect opponent for you to gain the respect of the boxing community. What you are doing right now is regressing skill-wise. It’s not making you a better fighter. Just call me,” De La Hoya added.
De La Hoya’s latest public critique, notably presented with a prepared statement rather than his usual impromptu remarks, indicates his serious intent to address and hold accountable the key figures in the sport. His approach underscores a broader effort to challenge prevailing narratives and push for more substantive matchups and fair play within boxing.
By: Francis Nutsugah (Abrantie Kofi Qross) – Ahotor Sports Desk
