The head of promoter Golden Boy, former world champion Oscar De La Hoya criticized Anthony Joshua's London bout against Alexander Usik and the promoter of the defeated Joshua - the head of Matchroom Boxing Eddie Hearn. De La Hoya's bizarre verbal attack generated a lot of buzz, mostly on English-language websites and social media.
"Let me tell you one thing, no one in the United States watched Joshua fight Usik, because this promoter, as they call him, he has no idea how it is done in America... Thomas Hearn. You stay there in the UK, promote your fights there. You have no idea how to operate in the US. The DAZN platform is doing the right thing by sticking with Golden Boy," said De La Hoya, 48, who was due to resume his wrestling career and fight former UFC champion Vitor Belfort on September 11, but fell ill with the coronavirus. De La Hoya was replaced in the ring by four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, whom Belfort knocked out in the first round. Oscar will probably face the Brazilian this year, with the bout being promoted as revenge on Holyfield's grudge. For now, however, the recovering De La Hoya is only causing controversy so far with his statements.
Oscar has long had issues with Eddie Hearn. One of the apples of contention is the Brit's partnership with Saul Alvarez, who was formerly a Golden Boy boxer but parted ways with her under very unpleasant circumstances, including a personal conflict with De La Hoya and a dispute with DAZN.
"This Edward Hearn should stay away from the United States. Usik took the heavyweight throne and Hearn destroyed Joshua's career," added Golden Boy, Barcelona Olympic champion and former world pro champion in six weight classes.
