Golden Boy issues cease-and-desist to Zuffa over Garcia-Benn fight

Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and attorney Ricardo P. Cestero issued a cease-and-desist letter to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing on Thursday. The letter demands an immediate halt to negotiations for a potential Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn fight scheduled for September 12. The letter, obtained by talkSPORT.com, states Golden Boy has not approved or been involved in any discussions regarding Garcia’s participation in the bout. It asserts that any agreement would be unauthorized, void, and subject to immediate termination. Cestero alleges Zuffa went behind Golden Boy’s back to negotiate the fight, violating Garcia’s contractual obligations with Golden Boy’s broadcast partner DAZN. The letter demands Golden Boy be included in all negotiations involving Garcia. De La Hoya told BoxingScene he had not been consulted about the proposed Garcia-Benn fight. “I’m hearing rumblings and rumours. Nobody’s talked to me,” he said. “We obviously have the final say because I am Ryan Garcia’s promoter.” Golden Boy’s legal action follows a pattern of disputes involving Zuffa. Last week, Ben Shalom’s BOXXER sued Zuffa for allegedly poaching fighters under contract, including Chris Billam-Smith and Sam Hickey, for a Bournemouth card. Queensberry Promotions, led by Frank Warren, also filed a $1 billion lawsuit against TKO and Saudi financer Sela in February over alleged contract breaches in Zuffa’s formation. Zuffa Boxing has not yet responded to requests for comment.