A planned boxing showdown between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn is now facing uncertainty after a cease-and-desist letter was issued targeting Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing project. The bout, which was expected to be formally announced at the UFC White House event, is now under legal review.
Promotion Dispute Throws Fight Into Question
Garcia recently announced a September 12 clash with Benn in Las Vegas under the Zuffa Boxing banner. However, complications quickly followed as questions arose over promotional rights and broadcast agreements.
Garcia has long been aligned with Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya, while Benn previously competed under Matchroom Boxing before stepping away earlier this year. Those overlapping interests have now triggered a dispute over who has control of the matchup.
Golden Boy Draws a Line in the Sand
Per Boxing Scene, Golden Boy Promotions has formally warned Zuffa Boxing, TKO Group Holdings, Paramount, and Saudi-backed Sela through cease-and-desist letters as tensions continue to build. The company claims it was not consulted in negotiations and says Garcia is contractually tied to DAZN.
The letter from attorney Ricardo P. Cestero stated that it was not approved by Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya.
“Golden Boy has not approved of or agreed to the terms of any such bout, nor has Golden Boy been involved in the negotiations of any such bout.”
“Accordingly, Golden Boy hereby demands that you immediately cease and desist from any negotiations or discussions …”
Zuffa Boxing Faces Early Legal Pressure
The dispute adds to growing legal pressure surrounding Zuffa Boxing’s early moves in the sport. The promotion was also recently hit with a separate lawsuit involving allegations of improper recruitment of fighters from the UK.
Despite ongoing tensions between Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White, De La Hoya suggested earlier this week that collaboration with Zuffa Boxing is still possible, though he stressed his company’s control over Garcia’s fight decisions.
“I’m hearing rumblings and rumors,.”
“Nobody’s talked to me. We obviously have the final say because I am Ryan Garcia’s promoter”
“This is the one thing I can tell you: We work with every promoter, even if it has to be Dana White and Zuffa.”