BTN News: Óscar de la Hoya, renowned boxing promoter and former world champion, has delivered a fiery response to recent allegations made by fellow Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel ‘Dinamita’ Márquez. The controversy centers around Márquez’s claim that De la Hoya demanded 20% of his earnings from the 2012 fight against Manny Pacquiao. De la Hoya, through a passionate video posted on his Instagram account, vehemently denied these accusations, calling out Márquez for spreading false information. This war of words between two of Mexico’s most celebrated fighters has reignited debates over the fairness of contracts and promoter fees in boxing.
De la Hoya Slams Márquez’s Accusations
In a recent video shared on Instagram, Óscar de la Hoya did not mince words in addressing Juan Manuel Márquez’s claims. Márquez had stated in an interview on the podcast ‘Un Round Más’ that De la Hoya had demanded 20% of his earnings from the pay-per-view revenue of his 2012 bout against Manny Pacquiao. According to Márquez, this request was made just as their business relationship was coming to an end.
De la Hoya, however, fiercely denied the allegations, asserting that all financial agreements were clearly documented and signed by Márquez himself. “Juan, ignorante,” De la Hoya stated in his post, “You negotiated that contract with your own promoter and lawyer and signed it. You accepted everything on paper.”
“Standard Fees in Boxing”: De la Hoya Defends His Position
The Promoter’s Perspective
De la Hoya further clarified that the 20% promoter fee from pay-per-view (PPV) earnings is standard practice in the boxing world, dismissing Márquez’s suggestion that he had been unfairly treated. “Do you think I should work for free?” he asked, defending his actions as part of normal business operations in the sport. He also criticized Márquez for complaining about the terms of a contract he had voluntarily agreed to, reminding him that as a former accountant, Márquez should have been aware of the financial arrangements.
Personal Jabs Escalate the Feud
From Business to Personal Attacks
The dispute quickly took on a personal tone, with De la Hoya addressing Márquez’s current financial struggles. “I’m sorry you’re broke, but how you spend your money is not my problem,” De la Hoya stated bluntly. He went on to suggest that Márquez’s comments were influenced by recent remarks from Canelo Álvarez, another fighter who has had public disagreements with De la Hoya. “Let’s be honest, you’re just saying this because you heard Canelo defame me,” he continued, adding a final jab, “Keep my name out of your damn mouth.”
Márquez’s Side of the Story: The Origin of the Accusation
Revisiting the Podcast Revelations
The controversy began when Márquez spoke out during an interview on ‘Un Round Más’, a popular boxing podcast. He recalled a moment when De la Hoya allegedly requested a portion of his earnings from the Pacquiao fight, saying, “He told me, ‘We want you to give us 20% of what you’ll earn from the fight against Pacquiao.’” Márquez expressed his frustration, hinting that he felt exploited by De la Hoya over several years, “I said to myself, ‘Sure, I’ll give it to you after what you took from me over five years.’”
The Bigger Picture: Boxing’s Controversial Financial Landscape
Financial Transparency in Boxing Under Scrutiny
This public feud sheds light on the broader issues of financial transparency and fairness within the sport of boxing. The dispute between De la Hoya and Márquez is not just a clash of egos but also a reflection of ongoing debates about how earnings and fees are handled by promoters and fighters. With both men being highly respected figures in the boxing community, their conflict has drawn attention to the practices and ethics of contract negotiations in the sport.
Conclusion: A Feud That Could Reshape Boxing Conversations
As the controversy unfolds, fans and analysts are watching closely. De la Hoya’s sharp rebuttal and Márquez’s strong accusations could prompt a closer examination of promoter-fighter dynamics and financial agreements in boxing. While De la Hoya defends his business practices as standard, Márquez remains vocal about his grievances, potentially setting the stage for further disputes and revelations.
