Oscar De La Hoya fires back at Rolly Romero for his comments about him
Multi-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya takes hits back at Romero after the super lightweight badmouthed him, and Ryan Garcia, over fractured negotiations.
As he now prepares for a fight against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on March 30, Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) claimed that the deal he was offered to face Garcia was far worse.
On Fight Hub TV, Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya said: “I actually love the kid. Rolly’s a character; he’s funny, and I think deep down inside he’s a nice kid.
“But you don’t disrespect me. There’s no need for it; you’re not fighting me.
“If I’d have fought you I’d have knocked your ass out easy, but you’re not fighting me so just keep it cool.”
Romero vs Cruz will appear as chief support to Tim Tszyu vs Keith Thurman on PBC’s first card with Amazon Prime since the broadcast deal was reached following their departure from Showtime.
Cruz (25-2 17 KOs) has three wins on the bounce since losing to Gervonta Davis down at lightweight, with Romero’s WBA title at 140 lbs enticing the tough Mexican to move up in weight.
PBC’s head honcho Al Haymon, who has been at loggerheads with De la Hoya for years, swept in to make the matchup following Romero’s dissatisfaction with the money on offer for a fight with Garcia on DAZN.
“It would have been the most money he’d have made in any fight but, like I’ve said before, Al Haymon is great at undoing fights,” De la Hoya said.
“All the fighters at PBC fight like once every two years. That’s not a way to build your legacy.”
Now, Garcia faces Devin Haney on April 20 for the WBC world super lightweight title, with potential for the winner to face Romero or Cruz in a unification, permitting that their respective promoters are happy to work together.