In a recent development, Oscar De La Hoya has taken legal action against Canelo Alvarez by issuing a cease-and-desist letter. De La Hoya accuses Alvarez of making defamatory allegations, claiming that the Golden Boy Promotions founder stole money from former champion Gennadiy Golovkin and other fighters.
The tensions between De La Hoya and Alvarez escalated during a news conference ahead of Alvarez's upcoming super middleweight championship defense against Jaime Munguia. De La Hoya referenced Alvarez's past positive test for clenbuterol, while Alvarez warned other fighters about potential financial misconduct by De La Hoya.
The cease-and-desist letter demands that Alvarez retract his statements and refrain from making further defamatory comments. De La Hoya's attorney emphasized that Alvarez's accusations were false and made with malice, leading to potential legal consequences.
Alvarez's attorney, on the other hand, stated that Alvarez audited Golden Boy's payments after terminating his relationship with the promotion company and found discrepancies in the amounts owed to him. This audit also led to Gennadiy Golovkin suing Golden Boy for underpayment related to their rematch.
De La Hoya denied the allegations of underpayment, stating that all financial obligations were met. The ongoing legal dispute highlights the strained relationship between De La Hoya and Alvarez following their split in 2020.
Despite the legal threats and accusations, both parties remain focused on their upcoming fights. Alvarez expressed his determination to succeed in his upcoming bout, while De La Hoya vowed to defend himself against the defamation claims.
The public confrontation between De La Hoya and Alvarez underscores the complexities of the boxing industry and the challenges faced by fighters and promoters in contractual disputes.