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Oscar De La Hoya let rip on his latest edition of his ‘Clapback’ series by predicting the demise of Top Rank after decades in the sport.
The Golden Boy promoter says Top Rank, previously run by Bob Arum, has made decisions that will ultimately cost them a place at boxing’s top table.
Introducing his hilarious segment, De La Hoya said, “It’s your favourite time of the week again. Time for the only segment in boxing that gives you the facts and makes you laugh, it’s Clapback Thursday!”
He then went in on his promotional rivals.
“I have been quiet for a minute because I have been collecting as much information as possible over the past month just so I can be accurate. And it’s finally time to unleash the facts,” said the multi-time world champion.
“So a bombshell lawsuit was filed at the end of February in California federal court, suing Top Rank president Todd Duboef for breach of contract, promissory fraud, and unjust enrichment.
“The lawsuit claims Duboef failed to pay high-profile boxing manager William Keane for securing fights and used an alleged crime boss to secure Tyson Fury fights.
“Oh, the lawsuit also suggests that all or most of this happened behind Bob Arum’s back.”
He alleged that those decisions above led to ESPN’s decision not to renew Top Rank Boxing’s broadcasting contract.
“Just when Todd thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did,” said De La Hoya. “ESPN confirmed they will not be renewing their deal with Top Rank, which is set to expire this summer. So, in other words, Top Rank has no network to broadcast their fights on.
“I love Bob Arum, we have a lot of history together. What he accomplished as a promoter is legendary, and I am so sad to see how it ended up.
“But this is what happens when you place your company in the hands of a scumbag. Bye bye Top Rank.”
De La Hoya hasn’t held back on discussing the current situation with Top Rank, which will see the company move to a new TV home over the summer.
DAZN remains the favorite to land a deal with Top Rank, while Prime Video and Netflix could also show interest.
Top Rank’s current stable features plenty of top talent to garner bidders. The roster includes middleweight king Janibek Alimkhanuly, WBO rulers Keyshawn Davis and Emanuel Navarrete, heavyweight Richard Torrez [who recently defeated Guido Vianello, pound-for-pound star Vasiliy Lomachenko, and female titleholder Mikaela Mayer.
They also have ties to Japanese undisputed champion Naoya Inoue, who will return to Las Vegas on May 4. Inoue takes Canelo Alvarez’s usual spot and will make his Saudi Arabian debut under Turki Alalshikh on the Saturday before.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
