De La Hoya Declines Politics Engagement, Him and Holly Sonders Hype Up unique Ryan Garcia Battle Instead
Rewritten Article
Step into the pulsating heart of New York City this Friday as the boxing world comes alive in Times Square, where up-and-coming sensation Ryan Garcia squares off against Rolando "Rolly" Romero under the watchful eye of promoter extraordinaire, Oscar De La Hoya.
Ahead of the highly anticipated event, we caught up with none other than De La Hoya and his captivating partner, Holly Sonders, a beloved figure at our esteemed Culture Department.
When we asked about the event, De La Hoya couldn't help but rave about Sonders' mesmerizing attire. "Let me tell you, Holly's dress... enthralling, absolutely enthralling. It's skin-tight. I mean, skin-tight. I'm lucky to have the most stunning woman in the world next to me. You've got to check this out. It left me speechless."
The buzz surrounding the spectacle has already driven an impressive surge in early pay-per-view buys, thanks to Sonders' allure.
As for the bout itself, Sonders struck a positive note, labeling the event and its innovative setting a "game changer." She went on to say, "It's one-of-a-kind, something that's never happened before [in Times Square]. I can't emphasize enough – it's a rare opportunity, possibly a one-time-only chance for the world of boxing."
Adding to the excitement, Sonders emphasized the glamorous atmosphere of the event, with celebrities and VIPs filling the ringside seats, and the screens illuminating the square just like on New Year's Eve.
De La Hoya echoed Sonders' sentiments, explaining that the event, along with a victory from Garcia, could propel him into the realm of "megastardom."
"He's on the cusp," De La Hoya declared emphatically. "At Golden Boy, we know how to bring champions into the spotlight. But we also know how to cultivate stars of the caliber of Canelo and Floyd Mayweather, who we promoted for 16 of his fights."
"If Ryan Garcia wins, then he'll catapult to unparalleled fame within the world of boxing."
The fight will be overseen by Ring Magazine, now under the ownership of His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, a Saudi Arabian advisor at the Royal Court and Chairman of the Saudi-run General Entertainment Authority. In recent years, Al-Sheikh has made waves as a potent figure in the world of boxing, perhaps the first true disrupter in this half-century.
While some have criticized Al-Sheikh's influence as detrimental to the sport, De La Hoya vehemently disagrees.
"Boxing has been stuck in a rut for years," De La Hoya argued. "We didn't have many prominent figures, and we didn't see many monumental matches. But Al-Sheikh has revolutionized the landscape, transforming our perceptions of what boxing can be. He's been instrumental in making flagship fights happen, like the one in Times Square."
"We're even discussing organizing an event on Alcatraz Island. Al-Sheikh is investing his resources and making those big fights a reality."
The marquee matchup between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford is slated to take place this coming September. It's no small feat, considering the time it took to finalize plans between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao without Al-Sheikh's influence.
While boxing may follow the lead of the UFC in terms of matchmaking and expansion, De La Hoya has no plans to include politicians in future Golden Boy events.
"I've learned to avoid politics," he revealed. "Boxing is a sport for the masses, as well as the elite – politics have no place in the ring."
According to sports betting platform FanDuel, Garcia is the overwhelming favorite at -1200 over Romero. De La Hoya predicts a Garcia victory, accompanied by a "knockout of legendary proportions."
"Expect a spectacular finish," he said. "But keep in mind, Garcia's been out of the ring for a year. He's been booed everywhere he goes – New Yorkers still remember the controversy from his victory over Devin Haney last year, the result of a positive drug test following the fight."
"He's embracing the challenge, flourishing in the role of the villain."
In a final message to our readers, Sonders expressed heartfelt thanks for their unwavering support, showering praise on our very own Clay Travis, Joe Kinsey, and the entire readership that helped put her on the map at the start of her career.
De La Hoya, ever the gentleman, couldn't help but steal the spotlight: "While I appreciate you, my thoughts are still on Holly's dress."
All photos courtesy of Holly Sonders.
Enrichment Insights:
Turki Al-Sheikh, as chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, plays a significant role in organizing large events, potentially influencing the growth and visibility of sports like boxing in the country. However, his exact impact on boxing as a disruptor or the reshaping of the sport remains unclear.Al-Sheikh's influence on boxing is believed to have moved the sport in a more dynamic direction, bringing major fights to unique locations, such as Times Square and potentially Alcatraz Island, and facilitating significant events like Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford.
- Holly Sonders agreed that the boxing event in Times Square, featuring Ryan Garcia and Rolando "Rolly" Romero, is a "game changer" for enhancing entertainment in sports.
- Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, whom Oscar De La Hoya promoted for 16 of their fights, exemplify the potential stardom a victory from Ryan Garcia could bring.
- Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi Arabian advisor and Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, is viewed as a disruptor and instrumental in organizing flagship fights such as the one in Times Square.
- De La Hoya confidently predicted a spectacular finish for Garcia's fight against Romero, mentioning that Garcia's recent absence from the ring and New York controversy won't diminish his chances of victory, as he's "flourishing in the role of the villain."
