Latest news with #OscarDeLaHoya
The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ryan Garcia faces fresh injury setback as Oscar De La Hoya gives bold advice
Oscar De La Hoya has suggested that Ryan Garcia 's recent wrist surgery did not mark the end of his injury issues, while advising his fighter to take another year off. Garcia returned from a one-year ban in May, having failed a drug test on the week of his win over Devin Haney in April 2024. That victory was overturned to a No Contest, and Garcia's comeback fell flat as he was dropped and outpointed by Rolly Romero. The American, 26, then underwent wrist surgery, but a shoulder issue might further delay 'King Ryan''s comeback, according to his promoter, boxing legend De La Hoya. In fact, De La Hoya has even advised another year of inactivity. 'He just got surgery,' De La Hoya told reporters. 'He's going to take a look at his shoulder now. I actually would like Ryan to think about taking the whole year off, getting his mind straight and comfortable to where he feels good. 'There is nothing lost for him. He has injuries and he has to get those fixed, but I think more importantly he has to get his life in order. 'I've lived it, and I am pretty sure everyone is telling him things left and right. He has to take a deep breath, a step back, analyse, and reassess life to put it all in order. It's just my opinion, I hope he takes the year off.' Garcia's loss to Romero came against the odds and marked a failed bid to end a torrid phase in his career. Prior to his fight with Haney, Garcia caused concern for his mental health due to his behaviour on social media. He also missed weight for that bout, meaning he was ineligible to win the WBC super-lightweight title, which Haney held at the time. In the contest itself, Garcia shockingly dropped Haney three times before winning a majority decision. With that, it seemed Haney – against whom Garcia went 3-3 in the amateur ranks – had suffered his first professional loss. But the revelation of Garcia's failed drug test led his win to be overturned. Garcia then served a 12-month ban before returning against Romero at welterweight, while Haney fought Jose Ramirez on the same night – in the same Times Square ring in New York City, also at welterweight. Haney outpointed Ramirez but came under fire for his performance, yet in winning, he had still upheld his end of a deal that was set to lead to a rematch with Garcia. Had Garcia beaten Romero, he would have been set for a second clash with Haney. Haney, 26, was this week linked with Teofimo Lopez, who outpointed Arnold Barboza Jr at the same Times Square event to retain the WBO super-lightweight belt, but talks reportedly collapsed.
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Four-weight world champion Kosei Tanaka announces retirement at 29 due to eye injuries
Four-weight world champion Kosei Tanaka has called a day on his career at the age of just 29 due to a series of eye injuries. A world champion at strawweight in just his fifth fight, Tanaka would go onto earn the WBO belt at light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight. The fastest Japanese fighter to become a world champion, 'Dream Boy' would equal Vasyl Lomachenko's 12-fight record to become a three-division title holder, before breaking the 21 bouts it took Oscar De La Hoya to win belts in four weight classes. Tanaka achieved this feat in 20. The Japanese fighter retires with a record of 20-2, with 11 of his wins coming by way of knockout. Translated from his native Japanese into English, Tanaka's message on Instagram read: '11 years of professional life. Thank you so much for all your support over the years. The reason is all about my repeated eye injuries. The last defence match took place on 14 October (2024). The condition of both eyes was bad before the fight and I decided to have surgery on both eyes immediately after the fight." He added: 'However, immediately after the start of the match, I lost sight in my right eye and by the third round, all the light had completely disappeared. With my left eye also in a bad state, I finished the match and underwent surgery on both eyes.' Whilst the surgery was successful in restoring Tanaka's vision, his eyesight did not return to the same quality as before his injuries. He continued: 'My vision was restored, but even now my right eye's vision is still heavily distorted and I can no longer focus with both eyes. Due to the effects of hernia operations on my neck and many, many operations on my eyes alone in the four years from 2021, my eyes have become weak, and I can no longer spar, let alone compete." He concluded: 'I decided to retire because there was no way for me to get into the ring.'
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero: A rivalry forged in sparring to be finally settled in the ring
Ryan Garcia and Rolando 'Rolly' Romero have been circling each other for years. Their rivalry bubbling beneath the surface of the boxing world. Now, on May 2, they will finally meet under the bright lights of Times Square — a fitting stage for two fighters with unfinished business. A Viral Beginning Their animosity dates back to a fiery sparring session at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas, when both were rising stars under the tutelage of boxing royalty — Garcia under Oscar De La Hoya and Romero under Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 2018 footage spread rapidly online sparking intense discussion amongst fans. The viral clip shows the two in the midst of an intense sparring session. Romero is in pursuit of Garcia, throwing wild shots to the head and body, making him look uncomfortable on his back foot - unable too keep 'Rolly' at range. Garcia was able to land sharp jabs and counter shots, but it was not enough to stop the Las Vegas native from closing the distance and using his physicality to push Garcia against the ropes and unload at close range. While the sparring was just that — it gave Romero the early bragging rights. 'I did beat the shit out of him both days,' Romero told BoxingScene. 'But it doesn't matter. It's just sparring.' Garcia, for his part, has been disparaging of the footage. 'We sparred about eight years ago,' he said at a recent press conference. 'It was a little rough... but he continued to use that sparring to boost his career, credit to him.' From Trash Talk to Mutual Respect Years of jabs on social media followed, with both fighters pushing for a real fight to settle the score. In late 2023, Garcia called out Romero after a victory over Oscar Duarte, and Romero echoed the sentiment after capturing the WBA junior welterweight title, saying their bout was 'a fight that everybody has been asking for forever.' Despite the momentum the two once again diverged with Garcia choosing Haney and Romero fighting Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. The fight only materialised when Garcia's original opponent for the 3rd of May, 'Pitbull' Cruz, pulled out — and Romero picked up the phone. 'I just made a phone call,' he said to BoxingScene. 'There were no other options.' Surprisingly, the lead-up to the fight has taken a softer turn. Behind the bravado, the pair appear to have buried the hatchet. Romero revealed that he reached out to Garcia during his public struggles with mental health — a gesture that resonated deeply. 'I DM'd Ryan and asked for his number,' Romero told BoxingScene. 'He said no at first, but I told him some things are bigger than boxing. We talked and we've been good ever since.' There has of course been the mandatory name calling in the build-up, with Garcia calling Romero a clout chaser and 'Rolly' insisting that 'Kingry' just wants to be a model. Selling a fight comes as part of the package for a boxer and whilst they may throw schoolboy insults at each other, they have both made clear the respect they hold for one another as fighters. Their clash in Times Square promises fireworks, but it's no longer driven by hatred. What began as a bitter feud born from sparring footage has evolved into something more nuanced — two fighters bound by mutual respect and a shared history.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jake Paul and Julio César Chávez Jr. question each other's skills ahead of Anaheim bout
Boxer Jake Paul points two fingers at boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. as they promote their June bout while promoter Oscar De La Hoya, center, watches at the Avalon Hollywood Theater on Wednesday. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) One of Jake Paul's nicknames is the "Problem Child," but that nickname could just as easily fit Julio César Chávez Jr. After becoming World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion of the world in 2011, Chávez defended his crown three times and came to be considered on the same level as his contemporary Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez. But a disappointing loss to Sergio Martínez in 2012, lack of discipline needed to train properly and make weight, as well as a crushing defeat to Álvarez in 2017, sent his career into a free fall. Advertisement From 2019-21, he picked up three losses in four fights, including falling to former champion Daniel Jacobs and mixed martial arts veteran Anderson Silva. Now at 39, Chávez will face Youtuber turned boxer Jake Paul in a cruiserweight contest scheduled for June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Chávez (54-6-1, 34 KOs) has fought 61 professional bouts since his debut in 2003 and could be the toughest test of Paul's (11-1, 7 KOs) career to date, although it all depends on the level of the Mexican's fitness for the matchup. Boxers Jake Paul, left, and Julio César Chávez Jr. point at each other during a news conference while promoter Oscar De La Hoya watches at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Paul and Chávez will fight in June in Anaheim. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) During a press event held at The Avalon in Hollywood on Wednesday, Paul strongly criticized Chávez while mentioning the addiction problems Chávez has faced as well as his 'lack of mentality.' Advertisement 'I'm going to embarrass him and run him down like he always does,' Paul said. 'I'm going to expose him. He will be the embarrassment of Mexico. There are two things you can't beat — me and your drug addiction.' Outside the ring, Chávez's personal life has not been free of problems. The Culiacan native was arrested in January of last year in Los Angeles and charged with illegal possession of weapons, specifically an assault rifle, which was found in his home. He eventually pleaded not guilty and committed to entering a rehabilitation program. On Wednesday, the legendary Julio César Chávez Sr. stood by his son's side to support him in the face of Paul's verbal attacks. For Chávez Sr., if his son continues to train the way he has seen him lately, the American doesn't stand a chance. Chávez Jr. will be looking to be the second opponent to beat Paul after Tommy Fury scored a win in 2023. Read more: Rolando 'Rolly' Romero sends a message of peace to Ryan Garcia: 'Come closer to God' Advertisement 'He's an overrated fighter. He hasn't fought anybody. He only fights old guys,' said Chávez Jr., who added he will arrive in Anaheim as the best version of himself and that the first five rounds will be difficult, but that he will tip the scales in his favor from the seventh round on. Chávez Sr., as on many occasions, has mentioned that his son is training like never before. 'There is no way Jake Paul can beat my son, the way he is training,' Chávez Sr. said. Paul responded he could beat Chávez Jr. and his legendary father, criticizing Chávez Jr.'s lack of discipline. Boxer Jake Paul insulted Julio César Chávez Jr. during a news conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) 'It's not a champion's mentality to only train hard when you have a big fight. I train hard every time I have a fight, no matter who I'm facing. That teaches you the type of person he is,' Paul said. Advertisement After the news conference, Chávez Jr. noted that he expected Paul to pick on his dad, but understood it was a mental tactic by his opponent. 'In boxing you learn step by step, and he is missing several,' Chávez Jr. said. Paul, a 28-year-old from Cleveland, will return to the ring since he last fought in November, when he outpointed heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in an eight-round bout in Arlington, Texas. The event disappointed many due to a lack of competitiveness from 58-year-old "Iron Mike." During this fight, Paul will likely have much of the crowd against him by choosing to fight a Mexican star in Southern California, although he believes there are many who will support him. Advertisement 'Mexicans love me. People love me more than they love him. Mexico doesn't even love him. I'm going to show him who the real Mexican warrior is,' Paul said. Boxers Julio César Chávez Jr., left, and his father, Julio César Chávez Sr., sit beside each other during a news conference Wednesday. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) The showdown between Paul and Chávez Jr. comes after a proposed showdown between the Youtuber and Álvarez fell apart earlier this year. Paul could be close to a fight against Álvarez, although before that he could consider a matchup against Mexico's Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramírez, who will be defending his cruiserweight crown against Cuban Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) on the Anaheim card. 'He has done a good job. Maybe someday we can fight for titles. Now I'm the champion,' Ramírez, 33, said about facing Paul. Advertisement Ramírez (47-1, 30 KOs) said he would prefer to unify the Boxing Assn. title against Jai Opetaia, the International Boxing Federation champion. But before that, he will have to dispatch Dorticos, who is known for his powerful punch. 'Los Angeles is going to shake. The knockout doctor is back,' said Dorticos, 39. The card is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions in conjunction with Golden Boy Promotions, and will air on pay-per-view via DAZN. This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Jake Paul Vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: Opening Betting Odds
New York , United States - 9 April 2025; Jake Paul during the kick-off press conference for Taylor v ... More Serrano 3 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA. (Photo By Tom Horak/Sportsfile via Getty Images) Jake Paul is heading back to the boxing ring for his first fight since he defeated Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in a fight that boxing pundits and fans widely panned. Paul faces former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in that contest. We look at the opening betting odds for the Paul vs. Chavez Jr. fight. Paul (11-1 with seven KOs) vs. Chavez Jr. (54-6-1 with 34 KOs) headlines a Most Valuable Promotions fight card on June 28 from Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The 10-round affair will be co-promoted by Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions and will air on DAZN pay-per-view. According to ESPN, the contest will have a weight limit of 200 pounds. The matchup between Paul and Chavez Jr. comes after a proposed matchup between the YouTuber-turned-boxer and Canelo Alvarez fell apart earlier this year. Paul opened as the -1100 favorite over Chavez, who opened as a +590 betting underdog. By comparison, Paul was a -310 opening favorite over Tyson, who opened at +240. The odds on that fight closed with Paul at -225 and Tyson listed as the +163 underdog. Chavez is coming off a unanimous decision win over former UFC fighter Uriah Hall in July 2024. Chavez's most recent loss was a June 2021 split decision setback to former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. "Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I'm going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn't finish," Jake Paul told ESPN. "Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico." "First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life - mentally and physically," Chavez said in a statement. "I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they're going to have a big problem this June-one they won't know how to resolve. Hopefully, when I beat him, people won't underestimate this win." The co-main event of the Paul vs. Chavez Jr. event features Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) vs. Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs). Ramirez's WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles will be on the line in that matchup. We will have more on the Paul vs. Chavez fight and the upcoming fight card as fight night nears.
