TMZ.com
Despite losing to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in front of the world, Ryan Garcia will still become a boxing superstar, according to his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, who knows a thing or two about dominating the sport.
TMZ Sports spoke with the Golden Boy ahead of Garcia’s return to the ring against Oscar Duarte on December 2 (streaming on DAZN) … Ryan’s first scrap since the April L to Tank.
“I have to commend Ryan for taking this tough challenge after his defeat,” ODLH said.
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“[Duarte] is coming off 11-straight knockout wins. I mean, that tells you a lot about him, but it also tells you a lot about Ryan’s character.”
Oscar says a win over OD in December will indicate the 25-year-old boxer is back on track … and he’ll be ready to go toe-to-toe with BK’s own, Teofimo Lopez, for a world title.
What happens after that is up to Garcia, according to Oscar … but the Hall of Famer is optimistic Ryan’s headed places.
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“I can see Ryan Garcia opening up the Sphere in Las Vegas,” ODLH said. “I can see Ryan Garcia being a superstar.”
For now, Garcia is focused on showing the world he’s still elite … and he tells us he’s prepared for what 26-1 Duarte will bring to the ring.
“I just gotta watch out for his aggression, his power. He’s hungry,” Garcia said. “Facing a guy like me, they’re always gonna bring their A-game.”
“They wanna make a statement. They want what I have.”
