Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion is doing its best to disrupt the boxing status quo, but there will be legal hurdles.
Last month, boxing superstar Ryan Garcia announced his own fight versus Zuffa Boxing’s Conor Benn for Sept. 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Historically, Garcia is represented by Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy, whereas Benn was a longtime Matchroom Boxing athlete until he walked away from Eddie Hearn earlier this year. Perhaps Garcia’s announcement was premature, however, as his representation
has an issue with Garcia competing for Zuffa Boxing or on Paramount.
The official Garcia vs. Benn announcement was expected to happen at the UFC White House card on Sunday.
Per a report from Boxing Scene, Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions have issued a cease-and-desist notice to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, TKO Group Holdings, Paramount, and Saudi Arabia’s Sela, accusing them of improperly interfering with WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.
The letter alleges that Golden Boy has not been consulted at all in the financial dealings of this possible bout. It also states that Garcia is obligated to compete on DAZN, not Paramount.
“Golden Boy has not approved of or agreed to the terms of any such [Benn] bout, nor has Golden Boy been involved in the negotiations of any such bout,” the letter written by Golden Boy Promotions attorney Ricardo P. Cestero reads.
“Accordingly, Golden Boy hereby demands that you immediately cease and desist from any negotiations or discussions …”
Despite more than a decade of bad blood between White and de la Hoya, there is still hope for collaboration.
“I’m hearing rumblings and rumors,” Oscar de la Hoya said on Tuesday. “Nobody’s talked to me. We obviously have the final say because I am Ryan Garcia’s promoter … ‘This is the one thing I can tell you: We work with every promoter, even if it has to be Dana White and Zuffa.”
Unfortunately for Zuffa Boxing, this is not the only legal issue they’re currently facing. Less than a week ago, Zuffa Boxing was hit by a lawsuit claiming unlawful poaching over a pair of prospects from the UK. Though Dana White laughed off the initial efforts of boxing promoters, it would appear that further legal battles are ahead for his upstart promotion.
