What’s Going On Between Ryan Garcia And DAZN?

One of the most promising boxers of the last few years may be involved in a nasty breakup with DAZN.

Ryan Garcia, the 21-year-old boxing prospect, was supposed to open Golden Boy’s return to action on July 4. That would have been on DAZN. Recently, Garcia posted on social media that his fight may be off, with no explanation. According to Garcia himself, there appears to be a dilemma when it comes to his pay.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Garcia (20-0) discussed the fact that he was only offered $200,000 for a fight.

“That’s bull—-,” Garcia said. “Why am I being held back financially? What is the problem here? Why is DAZN giving out big numbers to guys fighting nobodies? It’s fu—ed up how I’m being treated. I’m not asking for $100 million. Just give me the check I deserve. How am I one of the biggest fighters in the world and I get bigger paychecks outside of boxing?”

Making his pro debut in 2016, Garcia has won seven fights since 2018. He won the WBO-NABO and WBC Silver Lightweight Titles against Romero Duno in November via TKO, his third win in a row via knockout. “KingRy” won his last bout in February, hitting Francisco Fonseca with a devastating knockout punch.

Garcia is hoping to retire from boxing by 26 and has been looking to take out top fighters in Jorge Linares and Gervonta Davis. The coronavirus affected the possibility of a Linares bout. Backed by Canelo Alvarez and Eddy Reynoso, Garcia doesn’t believe he is being treated fairly when Golden Boy has been building the promotion around him.

“I’m not getting respect in the business matters,” Garcia went on to say. “They promote me as one of the biggest names that they have got. I’m not feeling the extra love that they claim I’m getting shown. I’m one of their most-viewed fighters. Guaranteed, top-three. I’m getting the views. I’m getting the clicks. More than anyone but Canelo [Alvarez] and [Anthony] Joshua. Where’s my love?”

With no sports, DAZN has had to work around finding content to produce for its streaming service. Several fighters are also owed big-time contracts. The entire world is also going through some sort of financial trouble due to the coronavirus.

Golden Boy President Eric Gomez stuck by his commitment to the amount Garcia would be owed.

“We are exclusive to DAZN and Ryan is exclusive to us,” Gomez stated. “We’re living in a pandemic. There are some real hard times out there. It’s arguably the worst financial downfall since the Great Depression. Ryan’s next show is not going to have any fans. His gate is significant. But he wasn’t asked to take a pay cut. In the contract that we recently signed, we were going to pay him above his minimum for this next fight.”

Garcia is one of the latest combat sports stars to demand a better salary. Recently, UFC stars Henry Cejudo (who has called out Garcia), Jon Jones, and more have publicly stated their frustrations.

Is this a ploy to just stir the pot or is this truly the end of Garcia and Golden Boy/DAZN’s relationship?