In the latest chapter of boxing’s “Infinity War,” Mark Kriegel unloaded on Oscar De La Hoya and the sport’s major sanctioning bodies during a fiery podcast appearance.
Kriegel, a former ESPN analyst who now works with Zuffa Boxing, spoke on the Boxing With Mannix and Mora podcast about the ongoing fight over TKO’s proposed Muhammad Ali Act revival.
Recently, De La Hoya testified before Congress to oppose the proposed changes. However, Kriegel strongly rejected the idea that sanctioning bodies operate in fighters’ best interests.
“You asked me about my reaction to the hearing,” Kriegel said. “First of all, the idea that any of the sanctioning bodies could be cast as beneficent organizations, as preposterous, as I said before, at best they’re hack, at worst they’re corrupt. I stand by that.”
Kriegel argued that transparency remains the central issue behind the Ali Act debate.
“I think it’s always been the case with them,” Kriegel continued. “But the Ali Act at its core, we’ve discussed this, has to do with transparency.”
He then shifted his focus toward De La Hoya’s recent legal disputes with several high-profile fighters.
“Most recently, Oscar has been accused of a lack of transparency by his own, his remaining star fighter, Vergil Ortiz,” Kriegel said.
Kriegel also referenced De La Hoya’s previous conflicts with stars such as Canelo Álvarez and Ryan Garcia.
“That’s at the core of Ortiz’s case against him,” Kriegel added. “I mean, Oscar has continually been, found himself in legal proceedings with his best fighters, Canelo, Ryan Garcia, now Vergil Ortiz.”
As a result, Kriegel questioned De La Hoya’s credibility in the current debate.
“The idea that Oscar has suddenly become an advocate for full disclosure, to me, is astonishing,” he said.
Still, Kriegel’s characterization of the dispute with Vergil Ortiz Jr. needs clarification.
Ortiz is not accusing De La Hoya of lacking transparency. Instead, Ortiz argues that his contract became void after the DAZN and Golden Boy agreement expired.
Afterward, Ortiz reportedly attempted to negotiate a three-fight deal with Matchroom. Meanwhile, De La Hoya maintains that Ortiz is still under contract and not a free agent.
The dispute is now headed to arbitration.
Ironically, the proposed Ali Act amendment could limit a fighter’s ability to bring legal action similar to Ortiz’s case against De La Hoya.
Not everyone stayed silent after Kriegel’s comments.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri quickly pushed back against the analyst’s accusations.
“If you have any evidence direct or circumstantial against any WBO officials, please contact immediately the FBI,” Olivieri wrote. “Put your actions behind your words.”
The growing tension surrounding boxing’s power structure shows how divided the sport remains, especially over proposed federal reform. The battle between promoters, sanctioning bodies, and reform advocates continues.
