Cayden Griffiths, 6-0 (6 KOs), has a record that would pique any promoter’s curiosity. But Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, which has since signed the welterweight prospect, noticed Griffiths’ skills before that record took shape.
“It all started with a DM from Oscar De La Hoya back in June of 2023,” Griffiths told BoxingScene. “He texted me and asked if I was signed. I said ‘Nope.’”
Griffiths wasn’t signed, but he also wasn’t even pro yet. Griffiths, now 19 years old, entered the Diaz Brothers Boxing Gym in Indio, California, at the age of nine. That led to him sparring the likes of Murodjon Akhmadaliev as an amateur.
Griffiths would turn pro in June 2024 on a Golden Boy Promotions card, flooring Juan Manuel Bautista Romero with body shots and stopping him in two rounds.
He would receive another message from De La Hoya, himself no stranger to a body shot knockout.
“[De La Hoya] sent me a DM right after my pro debut,” Griffiths said. “He was really impressed.”
Griffiths signed with Golden Boy in March; he is managed by Vadim Kornilov, who also manages Dmitry Bivol and Akhmedaliev. When asked what he thinks De La Hoya saw in him that made him stand out, Griffiths reflected:
“I think my style is pretty exciting to watch – that might be a little biased. I think I am explosive, and he might see parts of himself,” Griffiths said. “There are not a lot of white American fighters making a name for themselves. In a year from now, I think I will be ranked pretty high.”
Griffiths finds himself part of a new crop of fighters emerging out of the Diaz Brothers’ gym, which includes “Gucci” Manny Flores and Grant Flores. Griffiths recalled a sparring day and remembered hearing people question if he was a fighter. That experience early in his career has shaped his mentality.
“That set the tone for what a lot of people have thought about me over the years,” Griffiths said. “Because I am white, people have thought I don’t need to box. That I am too sheltered to box. From there, it has been a bunch of years of proving everyone wrong.”
Most recently, Griffiths knocked out David Ramirez in the fourth round of a bout scheduled for six last week at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.
De La Hoya likely would have been impressed by that, too.
