Things got heated at the press conference for Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte, which streams live this Saturday on DAZN. Garcia has heard all the interviews and specifically cited one that Bernard Hopkins did in which he said some things about Garcia and his career. Garcia saw the video, took offense to it, and decided the press conference was the right time to address it. Oscar De La Hoya was standing behind him, making facial and body gestures. He felt uncomfortable standing there as Garcia insulted him and his partner Hopkins.
This beef between Garcia and Golden Boy goes back a few years, but it really came to a head in April after his loss as both De La Hoya and Hopkins skipped the post-fight press conference, leaving Garcia feeling abandoned. This situation will eventually lead to a separation, but until then, look for more uncomfortable situations to present themselves publicly.
BREAKING!!! RYAN GARCIA COOKS OSCAR DELAHOYA AND BENARD HOPKINS AT TODAYS PRESS CONFERENCE!!! LAWD!!! pic.twitter.com/yPtEUUDrLP
— 2ToneDaSupastar (@2ToneDaSupastar) November 30, 2023
Here is the press release sent out by Golden Boy Promotions which has all of the comments with the exception of the ones made towards each other.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (NOVEMBER 30, 2023): International Superstar “King” Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) and dangerous knockout artist Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) hosted a press conference ahead of their super lightweight fight that will now be for the WBA Gold Title. Golden Boy Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya and fighters who are participating in the Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte fight night were also on hand to give comments. The fight night, presented in association with Cancun Boxing, will take place at Toyota Center on Saturday, December 2 in Houston, Texas and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN as part of your subscription beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. PT. Doors to the Toyota Center open at 5:00 p.m. CT, and the first preliminary fight will begin at 5:00 p.m. CT.
Newly announced co-main event, WBA Lightweight International Champion and rising star Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (15-0, 11 KOs) of Austin, Texas, will defend his title against Tijuana, Mexico’s Ricardo “Explosivo” Torres (17-7-3, 12 KOs) in a 10-round fight presented in association with Davies Entertainment. Also making his return is Shane Mosley Jr. (20-4, 11 KOs) who will measure up against San Bernardino’s Joshua Conley (17-5-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round fight for the WBA Continental Americas Middleweight Title. Opening the DAZN card, knockout prospect Darius Fulghum (8-0, 8 KOs) will perform in front of his hometown Houston crowd in an eight-round super middleweight fight against Pachino “Chino” Hill (8-4-1, 6 KOs) of Davenport, Iowa. This fight will be for the WBA Super Middleweight Continental Title.
On the preliminary card in a four-round super bantamweight fight, Waianae, Hawaii’s Asa “Ace” Stevens (5-0, 2 KOs) will go toe-to-toe with Dominque Griffin (5-5-2, 2 KOs) of Irving, Texas. Former Mexican Olympian and bantamweight prospect Gael “El Terror” Cabrera (2-0, 1 KO) of Sonora, Mexico, will make his return in a four-round fight against Las Vegas, Nevada’s Alejandro Dominguez (2-0, 1 KO). The undefeated Sean Garcia (5-0, 2 KOs) of Victorville, California will participate in a four-round fight against Joseph Johnson (3-1-1, 0 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas. Opening fight night with a four-round super lightweight fight, Cape Coral, Florida’s Danilo Diez will make his pro-debut against Jose Valenzuela of Puebla, Mexico (2-10, 1 KO).
Here is what some of today’s participants had to say. You can rewatch the press conference here.
RYAN GARCIA, INTERNATIONAL BOXING STAR AND SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CONTENDER:
“I put everything into this fight. You know, for the first time, I’m extremely committed in a long time. You know 2021 was one of the years that kind of broke me. 2022, you know a big change in me, and 2023 opened my eyes. I’m about to come back for everything, I’m just laser-focused and that’s where my confidence comes from.”
OSCAR DUARTE, SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CONTENDER:
“First of all, good afternoon, everyone. I’m very happy, very content, to be here. I’m enjoying every moment. This was a dream and it is now a reality. And this Saturday, you’ll see my best version. I have a great team, and this Saturday, I’ll be winning.”
