Fraud! Oscar De La Hoya Unleashes Fury on Canelo vs. Crawford and Dana White’s Involvement

In a bombshell outburst that has rocked the combat sports world, boxing legend and promoter Oscar De La Hoya has labeled the proposed Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford superfight a “fraud” and accused UFC president Dana White of orchestrating a shady deal to undermine the sport of boxing. The explosive comments, made during a fiery interview with Fight Hub TV just hours ago on June 18, 2025, have ignited a firestorm of controversy, with fans and insiders buzzing over De La Hoya’s claims.

De La Hoya’s Scathing Attack

De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions has long represented Canelo, did not hold back in his critique of the potential blockbuster bout between the Mexican superstar and pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford. “This fight is a fraud, plain and simple,” De La Hoya declared. “Canelo’s team is trying to cherry-pick a smaller guy to pad his legacy, and Dana White’s pulling the strings to make it happen. It’s a disgrace to boxing!”

The former champion’s outrage stems from rumors that White, the UFC’s outspoken boss, has been in talks with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh to co-promote the Canelo-Crawford fight under a hybrid boxing-MMA event format. De La Hoya, who has a contentious history with White, accused the UFC president of “meddling” in boxing to boost his own brand while sidelining traditional promoters like himself. “Dana doesn’t care about boxing’s integrity,” De La Hoya fumed. “He’s turning this into a circus for profit.”

The Canelo-Crawford Hype

The idea of Canelo, the undisputed super middleweight champion, facing Crawford, the welterweight king who recently moved up to 154 pounds, has been a hot topic since Crawford’s dominant win over Errol Spence Jr. in 2023. Fans on X have hailed the matchup as a dream fight, pitting Canelo’s power and experience against Crawford’s surgical precision and adaptability. However, De La Hoya argues the size disparity—Crawford is two weight classes below Canelo—makes the fight “unfair” and a “gimmick” designed to favor Álvarez.

“Canelo’s picking a guy he knows he can bully,” De La Hoya claimed. “Crawford’s a genius in the ring, but he’s giving up too much size. This isn’t about legacy; it’s about Canelo dodging tougher challenges like David Benavidez.” He further alleged that White’s involvement is a ploy to capitalize on boxing’s Saudi-backed financial boom, with the UFC president reportedly eyeing a slice of the massive purse expected from the event.

Dana White’s Role and the Saudi Connection

De La Hoya’s accusations point to White’s growing influence in boxing, particularly through his ties to Alalshikh, whose General Entertainment Authority has bankrolled major fights in Saudi Arabia, including Usyk-Fury and Joshua-Dubois. Sources suggest White has pitched a Canelo-Crawford fight as part of a mega-event featuring both boxing and MMA bouts, leveraging the UFC’s global reach to maximize viewership. While White has not publicly confirmed his role, he recently teased “something big” on X, fueling speculation.

De La Hoya, however, sees this as an existential threat to boxing’s purity. “Dana’s trying to turn boxing into a sideshow,” he said. “He’s got no business in our sport, and Canelo’s team is letting him call the shots because of the money. It’s shameful.”

The Boxing World Reacts

The controversy has divided fans and fighters alike. On X, the hashtag #CaneloVsCrawford is trending alongside #DeLaHoyaRant, with some supporting De La Hoya’s stance on preserving boxing’s integrity. “Oscar’s right—Crawford’s too small, and this smells like a cash grab,” one user posted. Others, however, are excited for the fight, with a fan writing, “Canelo vs. Bud would be epic! Oscar’s just salty he’s not getting a cut.”

Crawford’s team has remained tight-lipped, though the fighter himself hinted at interest in the matchup last month, saying, “If the money’s right, I’ll fight anyone.” Canelo, meanwhile, has not addressed De La Hoya’s comments directly but posted a cryptic message on X: “Talk is cheap. I let my fists do the talking.”

What’s Next?

The Canelo-Crawford fight remains unconfirmed, but sources indicate negotiations are advanced, with a tentative date set for late 2025 in Saudi Arabia. De La Hoya’s outburst has added fuel to an already heated rivalry between boxing’s old guard and the new wave of promoters and investors. Whether White’s involvement will materialize or if De La Hoya’s accusations will derail the fight is unclear, but the drama has only heightened anticipation.

As the boxing world braces for what could be one of the biggest fights in recent memory, De La Hoya’s explosive claims have cast a shadow over the sport. Is this a legitimate superfight or a “fraud” orchestrated for profit? Only time—and the ring—will tell.