De La Hoya and White dispute why he skipped Garcia-Benn fight

Oscar De La Hoya says he skipped the Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn fight because he feared Dana White and Zuffa Boxing would arrange to embarrass him, while White denies that was his intention and says De La Hoya knew his ticket and seating arrangements. De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions co-promoted the bout with Zuffa Boxing, explained his absence in an interview. He said he expected to be treated unprofessionally and alleged that members of his staff had complained about their treatment in the lead-up to the event. He also questioned the placement of Golden Boy fighters Alexis Rocha and Jose Ramirez early on the fight card, suggesting they were scheduled there deliberately. Those assertions are De La Hoya’s account; the available information does not independently establish how the arrangements were made or what organizers intended. White responded at a Dana White’s Contender Series postfight press conference, saying De La Hoya knew he had tickets and where he would sit. White said he would have told De La Hoya not to attend if he did not want him there, rather than invite him and deliberately humiliate him.