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De La Hoya: British Boxing is Second Class
6 Oct
Summary
- Oscar De La Hoya called British boxing 'second class' to US boxing.
- Ryan Garcia defeated Conor Benn by stoppage in Las Vegas.
- Benn suffered his first stoppage defeat and lost title bid.
Oscar De La Hoya ignited a fresh debate in boxing by labeling British boxing "second class" when compared to the United States. These comments surfaced in early October 2026 on The Ariel Helwani Show, approximately three weeks after Ryan Garcia's stoppage win over Conor Benn in Las Vegas.
Garcia defeated Benn by technical knockout in the second round on September 12, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena. This victory halted Benn's undefeated streak and ended his first world title bid, leading to renewed discussions about the development of British fighters.
De La Hoya acknowledged boxing's significant popularity in the UK but questioned the level of fighter development. He asserted that while British fighters are popular, they often struggle when facing top-tier American talent, suggesting their development does not reach championship standards.
Benn, who was challenging for a world title for the first time, experienced his first stoppage defeat in 27 professional bouts. Following the fight, his trainer indicated Benn would likely move up in weight classes due to the difficulty of making welterweight.
The debate surrounding De La Hoya's comments has divided social media, with some highlighting Britain's history of producing world champions, while others pointed to Benn's pre-fight opposition. The outcome of the Garcia-Benn fight serves as a focal point for De La Hoya's argument, though it does not definitively settle the broader discussion on boxing development.
