The welterweight division faces a complex legal dispute outside the ring. The boxing promoter and president of Golden Boy Promotions, Óscar de la Hoya, initiated administrative actions to stop the rival promotion's plans to organize the main card between Ryan García and the British Conor Benn without their respective contractual authorization.

According to a report issued by the ESPN television network, the former boxer's promotional company sent a formal cease and desist letter addressed to the Zuffa Boxing board.

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The legal document alleges that the mixed martial arts company is attempting to directly infringe the exclusive co-promotion rights it holds over the American boxer.

The content of the legal warning

The conflict arose after learning of the American corporation's plans to make an official announcement about the confrontation without including Óscar de la Hoya's promoter in the commercial benefits. The formal correspondence details that the secret negotiations violate the agreements previously established with the associated television stations of both corners.

"We have learned that they plan to announce a professional boxing match between García and Conor Benn for September 12, 2026, promoted by Zuffa and broadcast on Paramount . This constitutes a direct violation of the rights of Golden Boy and DAZN. Golden Boy has not approved or accepted the terms of said match," states the letter sent by Óscar de la Hoya's team.

The legal representation of the Mexican-American promoter warned that the company King Ryan Enterprises, of which García is the owner, lacks the regulatory power to conclude commercial agreements unilaterally. This is because the athlete maintains an exclusive representation contract with the Golden Boy firm.

Contrast with previous statements

This legal offensive represents a radical change in the position that the manager had previously shown regarding the viability of the contest. A few days before the legal warning was written, Óscar de la Hoya had expressed his willingness to collaborate with his counterpart to facilitate the spectacle that fans expect in Las Vegas.

"We work with all the promoters. Even if it has to be Dana White and Zuffa, as much as I dislike it, let's do it. Why not? Because the boxers want this fight. Ryan wants this fight. He wants to fight Conor Benn. Well yes. Let's make it possible. That's what boxing is about. We have to work with the promoters to make these fights a reality," explained Óscar de la Hoya in an interview with the specialized portal. FightHype.

The exclusion strategy used by the Zuffa Boxing board altered the outlook for negotiations for the next few weeks on the calendar. Given the new legal scenario, the promoters must resolve the validity of the co-promotion rights before the final signing of the contracts for the event on September 12 can be finalized.