Top Rank promoter Bob Arum likes the idea that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya brought up in a cross-promotion bout between Ryan Garcia and current WBO junior lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez on Super Bowl weekend in February.
De La Hoya envisions the fight being held at the impressive 18,600-seat Sphere in Las Vegas, anticipating a colossal event that would be one of the biggest fights of 2024, and probably the biggest at the start of the year. Garcia, who was announced this week to return on December 2nd, against Oscar Duarte, which will be broadcast on DAZN. Per Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, Garcia's fight with Gervonta Davis did 1.2 million pay-per-view buys and generated $22.8 million - which means despite not having won a world title, he is a massive draw.
“I think that’s a great idea," said Arum to Fight Hub TV about the potential fight. "I consider [Oscar De La Hoya] a good friend; I promoted him for so many years, so I think that hopefully, that fight can come together."
Garcia now is working with yet another trainer, Derrick James. The catch is James, who was praised last year now has found himself on a recent skid as Errol Spence Jr was brutally beatdown in a clash with Terence Crawford and Jeremll Charlo was outgunned against Canelo Alvarez.
“Hopefully, against Ryan," stated Arum. "I can’t guarantee that [fight], but that’s what Teo [wants]."
The Sphere in Las Vegas is a new venue in Las Vegas in which U2 is doing a grand opening for the venue, as it was designed for the rock group. The fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada, having a new venue to put on world-class boxing seems to have fighters and promoters gawking over the possibilities of it happening. As Lopez is also rumored to be in talks with Gervonta Davis as well.
“I was at the opening of the Sphere, and I saw U2, and I was just imagining a boxing event inside the Sphere,” said Oscar De La Hoya to FightHype. Anyone who has the privilege of going inside the Sphere and watching a fight for the first time, it will be the best event you will ever attend, mark my words."
This comes on the heels of Devin Haney taking part in the first boxing match ever at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, against WBC junior welterweight world champion, Regis Prograis.
Ryan Garcia, who is now somehow 25 years old, appears to be in the money business and if he can defeat a credible challenger like Oscar Duarte, it appears his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya is looking to land a big fight at The Sphere soon. Top Rank's head honcho, Arum isn't mad at that idea either.
