Boxing’s original "Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya, who held multiple championships through his 16-year career, now has his sights set on big things for the next generation of athletes, specifically ESPN’s 2017 Prospect of the Year, Ryan Garcia.
The young, social media-savvy star is set to face off against Francisco Fonseca on Friday — Valentine's Day.
"I think it's the perfect fit. It's no secret that Ryan's not bad on the eyes," a chuckling De La Hoya told Cheddar sitting next to his prize-fighting protégé.
While taking the compliment, the 16-0 lightweight boxer suggested the evening could be a unique way to celebrate romance.
"I think it's a new kind of date," Garcia added. "Take her to the fight and still take her to dinner afterward. It's a win-win situation."
Garcia's promotional instincts will also be aiding De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions' TikTok presence.
"It's a very young platform," said the 21-year-old Garcia. "It's just a new way to reach a different platform and introduce them, in a fun way, to boxing."
While De La Hoya is already using digital platforms to grow his brand, signing on to a partnership with DAZN (pronounced "da-zone") to stream fights, the former champ also recognized the value of the wildly popular social media app.
"TikTok is one of those platforms that you must be on to reach the masses," De La Hoya noted.
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