Oscar De La Hoya has slammed Gervonta Davis and his team ahead of Saturday night’s super-fight against Ryan Garcia.
The pair will finally meet inside a boxing ring in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas after months of exchanging social media barbs.
Both men are putting their undefeated records on the line in a fight laced with risk.
Rarely in recent years have two fighters in their prime gone to such lengths to square off and the sight of them finally meeting is a much-needed boost for the sport.
‘Tank’ Davis and ‘KingRy’ Garcia will clash at a catchweight of 136lbs and the rehydration clause imposed means they cannot weigh more than 10lbs over that limit on the morning of the fight.
De Le Hoya believes such clauses indicate that Davis’ team simply do not believe their fighter is ready for the challenge.
“Catchweights and rehydration clauses, late afternoon weigh-ins. All of these petty requirements point to a team that looks to protect their fighter,” he said at Thursday’s press conference.
“When I look at ‘Tank’s team’s actions through the whole promotion I am left to wonder: do they really think this guy is ready?
"And why would they protect their fighter, unless they think maybe he’s not ready for this moment? I really believe that Tank’s team is worried that he’s going to lose."
