De La Hoya Questions Haney’s Star Power: “Bro, You Just Do Not Sell”

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya vented on Instagram tonight, roasting Devin Haney about celebrating his reversed decision from the Ryan Garcia fight and his gripes about payment issues.

De La Hoya implied that Haney’s marketability was the reason for his payment problems from his fight against Ryan on April 20th. He told Haney that he could audit his company to prove he pays his fighters.

Oscar was also upset about the inconsistencies in the PED penalties handed out by different sanctioning bodies. He pointed out that Ryan Garcia was given a stiffer punishment than Canelo Alvarez and Shane Mosley.

Nevada dealt with those two. In contrast, the New York State Athletic Commission came down hard on Ryan, giving him a year suspension. De La Hoya argues that one commission should be in control so the penalties are more uniform.

Interestingly, Ryan had complained early on about wanting to fight with Haney in Nevada for tax purposes because New York has higher state taxes. He felt the fight would have been bigger if it had been in Las Vegas. If Ryan had gotten his way, he might be looking at a shorter suspension from Nevada without losing all that money.

De La Hoya Questions PED Penalties

“Alright, guys, everybody talked about Ryan Garcia. Now, it’s Pappy’s turn. First of all, I don’t condone PEDs whatsoever, period,” said Oscar De La Hoya on Instagram. “But let’s talk about the inconsistencies, the penalties, and the millions of dollars.

“I do not understand it. We should have a commission that oversees everything in every state because Canelo Alvarez gets popped in a different state and gets six months. Shane Mosley gets popped and gets zero,” De La Hoya continued.

“So, you’re telling me Ryan Garcia gets a year and millions of dollars? That is not right.

“You Do Not Sell”

“Let’s talk about Devin Haney now. Devin Haney, you’re pathetic. You’re dancing around at a bowling alley because you got your decision reversed.  Nobody is going to forget that beating you took,” said De La Hoya.

Haney might feel it’s important to still have his unbeaten record because the networks would potentially see him as more valuable, and the hardcore boxing fans who keep up with records would be impressed.

The network is not as focused on records as they are on ratings, and Haney hasn’t proven himself to be a PPV attraction. That overrides his still being undefeated because unbeaten fighters are too common now, given how wily promoters protect them to try and create fake stars.

Some would argue that Haney is an example of a fighter who has been well-maneuvered by his handlers and has gotten by on being bigger than his opponents. Haney’s best wins were against Vasily Lomachenko, George Kambosos, and Regis Prograis. Lomachenko was controversial.

In addition to those two, Haney had beaten generally older, shopworn fighters. These were the other notable fighters Haney had defeated: Joseph Diaz, Jorge Linares, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Zaur Abdullaev, and Alfredo Santiago.

“Oh, and let’s not forget. You’re accusing me of not paying you. Bro, you just do not sell. That’s the bottom line. You can audit my company anytime you want. I pay every fighter, and I’m pretty sure you got that from Canelo from what he started,” said De La Hoya.

Will Haney and his dad, Bill Haney, take De La Hoya up on his offer to audit Golden Boy’s records to see whether they’re paying their fighters?

“So, bro, that one-year layoff, that retirement. Just enjoy it. F*** you,’ said De La Hoya to Haney.

Devin likely won’t take a year off if he’s offered a sweet deal for good money against someone he knows he can beat. He’ll likely agree if the Saudis wave a bunch of dough under Haney’s nose to fight in Riyadh against a soft touch. It would have to be a lot, especially if the fighter is a good one.