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The long-running feud between Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White has erupted once again, with the Golden Boy Promotions founder delivering one of his sharpest verbal jabs yet. As White pushes forward with Zuffa Boxing, tensions between the two promotional heavyweights have escalated into a public war of words.
White’s recent expansion into boxing has intensified the rivalry, particularly with the introduction of the new Zuffa belt set to debut when Jai Opetaia competes for it in Las Vegas on March 8. But De La Hoya was far from impressed.
De La Hoya questions the Zuffa Belt
Speaking to media in Las Vegas after releasing a “clap back Thursday” video, De La Hoya openly criticized the creation of the new championship.
“Look, Dana White saying that he’s going to come out with guns blazing and this and that, saying ‘we’re going to show everyone how it’s done and this and that’, then you created your own belt, what is that?” Oscar De La Hoya asked.
“I mean, that belt has less history than my Tom Ford belt, and my Dolce and Gabbana belt is worth more. Don’t say you’re coming out with guns blazing and then have done nothing, you’re just another promoter that came in with a new belt and now you’re having Jai Opetaia for the Zuffa belt?
“To me, that’s embarrassing. It should be embarrassing for Jai Opetaia who is a great world champion, a great person. I love the guy, but come on. How can you have Jai Opetaia fight for the Zuffa belt that means nothing in this world?”
Tensions over boxing’s governing bodies
De La Hoya also took aim at what he perceives as Zuffa Boxing’s stance toward traditional sanctioning organizations.
“They want to work against all the organizations, they don’t want to include the WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO. I mean, it’s absurd. To me it’s mind boggling that this guy, Uncle Fester, talks and talks and talks but says nothing.
“He lies, it’s all he does is lie. Everything about him is lies, lies, lies and he loves screaming because he thinks if people scream louder it becomes true. No, it’s just a bunch of BS, man.
“I love this sport, you can see my passion. I love boxing, I was born to fight and we’re going to protect our sport.”
With Zuffa Boxing aiming to carve out its own identity and Oscar De La Hoya defending boxing’s traditional structure, the clash appears far from over.
As direct competitors in the sport’s promotional landscape, both men are now fighting a battle outside the ring—one defined by legacy, influence, and control over boxing’s future.
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