Having full autonomy over your career isn’t always a good thing. And, in the case of Ryan Garcia, Oscar De La Hoya believes that he was heading down the wrong path.

For the most part, Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) did a masterful job of pushing his popularity through the roof. He aggregated millions upon millions of social media followers and outside of his showdown against Gervonta Davis, Garcia performed terrifically under the bright lights. Davis though, made Garcia look like an amateur.

On April 22nd, earlier this year, Davis proved that he was simply on another level, dropping and later stopping the 24-year-old in the seventh round. Garcia, immediately after, took a long and strong look at himself in the mirror and realized that he didn't like what he saw. So, in an effort to up his game, Garcia canned his now former trainer and enlisted the help of Derrick James.

As the two continue to get familiar with one another, De La Hoya has kept a close eye on their relationship. Although Garcia is still one helluva fighter, from a training perspective, De La Hoya believes that Garcia needs someone who isn’t going to sugarcoat anything.

“He needs authority,” said De La Hoya to Fight Hub TV recently. “He needs military, he needs somebody that’s gonna f------ tell him what to do and not be afraid.”

James, the 2022 BWAA Trainer of the Year, has never been the type to hold his tongue. His stable, by and large, might be the most impressive in all of boxing as he currently houses unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., undisputed 154-pound titlist Jermell Charlo, highly ranked lightweight contender Frank Martin, and former unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.

Joe Goossen, Garcia’s former trainer, once revealed that he doesn't exactly train Garcia. Instead, he “partners” with him. This time around, Garcia is seemingly allowing James to take control of the wheel.

James’ no-nonsense approach, according to De La Hoya, is something that he believes Garcia not only needs but also wants.

“I think Ryan is a sponge, he wants to learn. He wants to feel like somebody is teaching him. I’m glad that he has Derrick as a trainer.”