Ryan Garcia's recent allegations of non-payment following his April 20 clash with Devin Haney at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, have sparked a dispute with his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions. Garcia, along with Haney, claimed on social media that they had not received their due compensation from the fight, which aired on DAZN Pay-Per-View and other platforms. Golden Boy Promotions quickly refuted these claims.
In a since-deleted post, Garcia stated, "Still no payment GBP and DAZN???" Haney echoed this sentiment, suggesting a similar issue with his own payment. Despite these allegations, Golden Boy Promotions assured that both fighters were paid according to their contracts and reminded them of the standard payment process for PPV events, which involves supplemental payments over time based on revenue streams.
Golden Boy's Response
Golden Boy Promotions, led by Oscar De La Hoya, responded with a statement clarifying the payment process:
"As we have always done with all our fighters, Golden Boy paid Ryan and Devin exactly what they are owed under their contracts. As with all PPV events, revenue comes in over time and additional payments will be made when more money is received. If they aren’t aware of this fact, we would hope that their managers are. Or perhaps Ryan and Devin should pay more attention to their contracts than their social media feeds."
Payment Process and Controversy
While Golden Boy's statement is valid regarding the standard fight night payment process, questions remain about the supplemental payments from an event reportedly successful in terms of pay-per-view sales. Both Garcia and Haney claimed to have earned high eight-figure paydays, with the event allegedly selling over 500,000 units at $69.99 each. The show generated $4,356,065 from 11,480 tickets sold, according to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
Controversies Surrounding Garcia
Garcia's win by majority decision was overshadowed by several controversies. He missed weight by more than three pounds, making him ineligible to challenge for Haney's WBC 140-pound title. Additionally, Garcia is under investigation by the NYSAC for two positive drug tests for the banned substance Ostarine around the fight date. His defense claims contamination from supplements, but lab tests indicated broken seals on the containers, complicating the case.
Legal Issues and Future Fights
Garcia also faces a defamation lawsuit from Logan Paul and Prime Hydration, LLC, over allegations he made about the sports drink causing his positive drug test and other health issues. NutraBio, a supplement company implicated by Garcia, has also threatened legal action, vehemently denying any involvement with Ostarine.
While Garcia's future in the ring remains uncertain pending the NYSAC's ruling, Devin Haney has been ordered to defend his WBC title against mandatory challenger Sandor Martin, with a deadline for negotiations set for June 11.
Conclusion
The dispute between Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions highlights ongoing issues within boxing regarding fighter payments and contractual obligations. As Garcia navigates through these controversies and legal challenges, the outcome of his situation will likely have significant implications for his career and the broader boxing community.