Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya has worked with many fighters during his time as a promoter but he may not have been giddier about any signing since Mexican star Canelo Alvarez signed with the company in 2010 until this week.
That is when De La Hoya announced that Golden Boy signed blue-chip lightweight prospect Ryan Garcia to a multi-year promotional deal. Terms were not disclosed, but De La Hoya has extremely high expectations for the 18-year-old from Victorville, California.
"Ryan Garcia is special, simple as that," De La Hoya said. "His amateur pedigree is among the best I've ever seen. His skill set is far beyond his 18 years of age, and if you want to know how hungry he is -- because he couldn't fight professionally in the U.S. until he turned 18 -- he fought in Mexico four times before his birthday this year.
"I expect enormous things from Ryan and am excited to work with him as he embarks on a career that I'm sure will include multiple world championships."
Indeed, Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) turned pro in June and fought four times in Mexico, where teenagers going pro is commonplace. Garcia turned 18 in August and fought two more times in Southern California before signing with Golden Boy.
His first fight with the company will take place on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins' farewell fight against Joe Smith on Dec. 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
"I am so excited to announce that I have signed with Golden Boy Promotions," Garcia said. "My family and I grew up watching and admiring Oscar De La Hoya and to now be fighting under his promotional banner is a dream come true. I can't wait to get back in the ring on Dec. 17 and start showing the world what I'm capable of."
Garcia, who began boxing at age 7, went 215-15 as an amateur. He is a 15-time national champion and won a gold medal at the 2016 youth world championships. He claimed a silver medal at the 2014 junior world championships, won National Police Athletic League championships from 2008 to 2016 and is a four-time National Silver Gloves champion (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013) in addition to winning junior Golden Gloves titles in 2009 and 2012.
Article courtesy of ESPN
That is when De La Hoya announced that Golden Boy signed blue-chip lightweight prospect Ryan Garcia to a multi-year promotional deal. Terms were not disclosed, but De La Hoya has extremely high expectations for the 18-year-old from Victorville, California.
"Ryan Garcia is special, simple as that," De La Hoya said. "His amateur pedigree is among the best I've ever seen. His skill set is far beyond his 18 years of age, and if you want to know how hungry he is -- because he couldn't fight professionally in the U.S. until he turned 18 -- he fought in Mexico four times before his birthday this year.
"I expect enormous things from Ryan and am excited to work with him as he embarks on a career that I'm sure will include multiple world championships."
Indeed, Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) turned pro in June and fought four times in Mexico, where teenagers going pro is commonplace. Garcia turned 18 in August and fought two more times in Southern California before signing with Golden Boy.
His first fight with the company will take place on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins' farewell fight against Joe Smith on Dec. 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
"I am so excited to announce that I have signed with Golden Boy Promotions," Garcia said. "My family and I grew up watching and admiring Oscar De La Hoya and to now be fighting under his promotional banner is a dream come true. I can't wait to get back in the ring on Dec. 17 and start showing the world what I'm capable of."
Garcia, who began boxing at age 7, went 215-15 as an amateur. He is a 15-time national champion and won a gold medal at the 2016 youth world championships. He claimed a silver medal at the 2014 junior world championships, won National Police Athletic League championships from 2008 to 2016 and is a four-time National Silver Gloves champion (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013) in addition to winning junior Golden Gloves titles in 2009 and 2012.
Article courtesy of ESPN
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