Oscar De La Hoya has spoken out positively about Ryan Garcia’s decision to appoint Derrick James as his new trainer, saying Garcia “needs authority.”
Garcia parted ways with Joe Goossen following his stoppage loss to Gervonta Davis back in April, and quickly decided to link up with the esteemed James at his Dallas gym, which boasts the likes of Errol Spence Jr, Jermell Charlo and Anthony Joshua.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, six weight world champion turned promoter De La Hoya praised the decision, and drew comparisons to his own relationship with former trainer Floyd Mayweather senior.
“From my experience, he [Garcia] needs authority, he needs military, he needs someone who’s going to tell him what to f***ing do and not be afraid!”
“I had that as well. The one trainer that I most respected, the one trainer that would get me out of bed at 4.30 in the morning when I didn’t want to get up, was Floyd Mayweather senior. He would literally throw a bucket of f***ing water over my head so I could wake up – but that’s what I needed.”
“So if his new trainer is going to be that authority to Ryan, I think Ryan is a sponge and he wants to learn. So I’m glad that he has Derrick as his trainer, because I know he is going to be there cracking the whip.”
Depsite his recent positive words of encouragement, De La Hoya filed a law suit against Garcia just two weeks ago over a contract dispute, with ‘King Ry’ reportedly no longer looking to work with Golden Boy moving forward.
He announced he would be moving up back up to 140lbs following the defeat to Davis, and has been linked to world title fights against Teofimo Lopez, Regis Prograis and Rolando Romero.