SUMMARY
- Devin Haney recently accused Ryan Garcia of consuming cocaine.
- As such, many started drawing parallels between the fighter and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya.
Ryan Garcia has become a big talking point in the past week, owing to his fight against Devin Haney. With the contracts signed and pre-fight promotions already underway, there has been a lot that has been uncovered. With that said, let’s unpack how it brought up the troubled past of Oscar De La Hoya.
Notably, the buildup to Haney-Garcia has been shrouded with sparring leaks, there has also been the involvement of many names as well. Moreover, the recent drama has somehow embroiled the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Gervonta Davis, and Bill Haney as well. In the meantime, fans have also been suggesting that there is something different about Ryan Garcia lately.
All things considered, a lot of attention has gone towards Ryan Garcia’s shakey and ‘off-key’ behavior as well. With Haney that he is using cocaine behind the scenes, the fighter revealed what he actually indulges in. In the meantime, fans have started drawing comparisons between Ryan and his promoter Oscar, specifically the latter additions and drug usage.
Oscar De La Hoya’s alcohol and cocaine addiction
For those unaware, Oscar De La Hoya was one of the biggest boxing superstars of his time. Having won 11 world titles in six weight classes, including the lineal championship in three weight classes, De La Hoya has secured his legacy as one of the best. With that said, ‘Golden Boy’ was often his own worst enemy. Living a life of glitz and glamor, he eventually succumbed and lost himself to unhealthy vices.
Speaking on Fox Business, he revealed, “I got into a lot of alcohol and drugs, and I just literally lost myself. And the fact that I had a relationship with my mother that was so disconnected; she never told me she loved me. I would always go to these clubs and pick up women.” As such, Oscar admitted that his emotionally abusive relationship with both his mother and father resulted in him spiraling out at an older age.
Additionally, there was an instance of Oscar being pictured cross-dressing and nearly overdosing shortly after his retirement. Notably, numerous incidents of the retired boxer’s shenanigans acting out after copious amounts of alcohol and cocaine have reportedly been kept out of the media. Over the years, De La Hoya has supposedly worked to rid himself of these addictions.
Dana White and Sean O’Malley have made fun of De La Hoya’s addiction
For the most part, Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have had a love-hate relationship. Whilst the two work in a professional capacity, they have often spoken out against each other. Yet, they continue to make amends and work together thereafter. Safe to say, their relationship is rather tumultuous and confusing at the same time.
However, that has not stopped people from lumping them in together, especially after Garcia’s recent behavior. For the most part, Ryan has developed a rivalry with UFC bantamweight champ, Sean O’Malley. Amidst discussions of their fight, O’Malley also jibed at De La Hoya’s cocaine addiction in a recent skit. With coach Tim Welch portraying the promoter, fans were left pleasantly amused.
Oscar and Ryan Moments before @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/uoFxwu2fQA
— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) February 28, 2024
However, it is not the only instance as UFC President Dana White has also spoken on it in the past. Due to their long-running feud, the two have had their differences on a couple of occasions. Be it related to Georges St-Pierre wanting to go into boxing, or De La Hoya’s comeback at 47, the two are not on good terms. As such, Dana infamously called out De La Hoya’s cocaine usage at a press conference as well.