Ryan Garcia Lets Rip On De La Hoya And Hopkins During Duarte Presser
The final pre-fight presser between Ryan Garcia and Oscar Duarte produced many fireworks as both men prepare for battle on December 2nd, 2023.
In the junior welterweight clash, Garcia arrives into the fight with much expectation on his shoulders. Following the defeat to Gervonta Davis, there were serious question marks over where the fighter would go next. A new trainer in the form of Derrick James followed and a move up to 140 pounds.
The narrative heading into the fight is that Garcia will come out victorious, but in doing so, he must put on an impressive performance to target a world-title fight. However, before he can think about that, Garcia faces the dangerous Mexican Duarte. The latter has knocked out his last 11 opponents, showing that he is capable of stopping a fight early.
In the co-main event, Floyd Schofield and Ricardo Lopez do battle in a fight at lightweight. Ohara Davies had initially been scheduled to face Ismael Barroso in a WBA interim clash at 140 for the co-main event. However, the former could not make it into the country due to delays with his visa.
Garcia On The Offensive
With that being said, in order to come out victorious, Garcia will have to put his promotional differences aside. Heading into the fight, Bernard Hopkins questioned if Garcia would continue boxing if he came second best to Duarte.
Meanwhile, Garcia has also been upset with Oscar De La Hoya’s role as his promoter, given that they were in a legal battle over an alleged breach of contract. And Garcia wasted no time in letting the boxing public know that things were not fully right.
Hopkins began by alluding to the differences between the pair, with Garcia making it clear that he was not going to tolerate the criticism that was coming his way. So, let us take a look at the highlights from today’s presser.
Key Clips
Key Quotes
“One thing that has been on my heart is the statements that Bernard [Hopkins] has made where he’ll decide if I’m going to finish or if I should continue boxing after this fight. He [Hopkins] don’t decide that. My coach [Derrick James] and my team do. Everybody that grinds with me, day in and day out, are the ones who decide. Ultimately, God decides, not him,” Garcia
“Nobody told him when to stop boxing. He also said that he calls out on the bull s*** and the lies. The last time I checked, he [Hopkins] said he’d never lost to a white boy, and then Joe Smith knocked him out of the ring. The last time I checked, Joe Smith Jr. was white. So, they be lying. I come to show what I bring, and I’m laser-focused. That’s where this confidence comes from. Thank God for everything,” Garcia
“Another thing I want to touch on, Oscar [De La Hoya] saying that we misinterpret what they say. It’s plain English. I didn’t hear anybody speak any language that I don’t know. It’s very clear to me that they’re backing this guy [Oscar Duarte] to beat me, just like they thought [Romero] Duno was going to beat me. He was the next Filipino star. They’re saying he’s [Duarte] the next Mexican star,” Garcia
“You know what? I put everything into this fight. I’m extremely committed for a long time. 2021 was the time that kind of broke me. 2022 changed me. 2023, opened my eyes. I’m about to come back for everything. I’m laser-focused. That’s where my confidence comes from. “I’m here to make an example of the 140-lb division. This is how I’m coming. This is the Ryan Garcia that you’re going to get. I’m going to continue boxing,” Garcia
Fight Card
Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte
Floyd Schofield vs. Ricardo Lopez
Shane Mosley Jr. vs. Joshua Conley
Darius Fulghum vs. Pachino Hill
Gael Cabrera vs. Alejandro Dominguez
Asa Stevens vs. Dominique Griffin
Sean Garcia vs. Joseph Johnson
Danilo Diez vs. Jorge Lopez
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