Ryan Garcia vs. Rukiya Anpo | Exhibition - December 30, 2024

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ryan Garcia to return in December exhibition vs. kickboxer Rukiya Anpo

Ryan Garcia will return to the ring on Dec. 30 in an exhibition bout against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo, despite currently serving a suspension due to a failed test for performance-enhancing drugs.

Garcia, 26, in June was issued a one-year retroactive suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission after testing positive for the PED ostarine ahead of his April fight with junior welterweight titleholder Devin Haney.

The Garcia-Anpo exhibition will be contested under full boxing rules at a 153lbs catchweight over eight two-minute rounds. It will mark Garcia’s first action since the Haney bout, which was changed to a no-contest after initially being ruled a majority decision win.

Garcia, 24-1 (20 KOs), of Victorville, California, dropped Haney three times in the upset decision, but even before the commission ruling he was ineligible to win Haney’s title after showing up to the weigh-in more than three pounds overweight.

“I’m looking forward to knocking Anpo out for disrespecting Manny Pacquiao,” Garcia said, referencing Anpo’s July exhibition against Pacquiao. “I’ll teach him a lesson in respect.”

Anpo, 28, is a former kickboxing world champion from Himeji, Japan, known as “Demolition Man.” He has earned accolades such as Fight of the Year and KO of the Year and debuted with RIZIN in 2023.

“I surpass Ryan in size, speed, and power,” Anpo said. “If he treats this like a party, I’ll give him a beatdown and show America who the real bad boy is.”

[goose 5]

If there is a very good undercard, I'd buy this ppv.

[margaret thatcher]

last time i saw ryan garcia, he was talking about how people put microchips in his food, to intentionally make him sick by pressing a button and activating those microships once he's eaten

[tiny_acres]

last time i saw ryan garcia, he was talking about how people put microchips in his food, to intentionally make him sick by pressing a button and activating those microships once he's eaten

I think Garcia is crazy enough to be a congressman. the dude is fuggin nuts

[margaret thatcher]

indeed, he is wack, legit out of his mind. shows signs of paranoid schizophrenia. thinks people in bushes are watching him, there's cameras being planted in his house, microchips in his food, etc

[Ruthless-RKO]

Golden Boy Promotions opposes Garcia exhibition bout

Golden Boy Promotions has denied Ryan Garcia is set to fight in an exhibition bout on 30 December in Japan.

Garcia, 26, announced he was due to face Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo and appeared alongside his opponent in a news conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The American is currently serving a doping suspension in the United States until 20 April 2025 and will need to provide a clean urine test before his licence can be reissued.

Golden Boy chief Oscar de la Hoya reacted to the media event, saying his company had "exclusive rights" to any Garcia fights.

"The organisers of this event have acknowledged as such and have agreed in writing that our sign-off is needed for this event to occur," he said.

"As no such sign-off has been given, as of today there is no event with Ryan Garcia."

Garcia failed multiple drug tests before his win over Devin Haney in April.

That win was overturned to a no contest and the New York State Athletic Commission banned Garcia for one year from competing.

The proposed exhibition fight with Anpo is expected to be no more than eight, two-minute rounds with no winner announced.

Golden Boy Promotions had put out a release promoting Tuesday's news conference before De la Hoya made his statement on social media.

Speaking at the news conference, Garcia said the exhibition fight was his "only option to stay active".

"This is my only route, so I found a way. Obviously taking months off ruins you, you lose a step, so we're going to see how it goes.

"From there, we'll make a decision, I'm just trying to get in the mix of things after a long break, get used to training, stay in shape and just continue developing for a big fight in April."

[robbydecker]

What's with this two minute rounds b.s...?!

They're both in They're 20's..

Two minute rounds should only be for when there's an over the age of 50 fighter in there.

Yeah, it's really good that Ryan is staying active whichever way he can...

But really, this bout should in fact, at least be a 10 rounder, and with full fledged three minute rounds..!!

[goose 5]

I wish Anpo were allowed to kick.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[robbydecker]

Of course, it figures something like this would happen..!!

Was actually really looking forward to this exhibition bout.

I really think that it's a better bout than what people realize.

"Anpo" is no slouch.

Just think, "Tex Cobb" and "Troy Dorsey".

Interesting that "Anpo" is basically right in between the size range of those two kickboxer turned boxers.

Never underestimate a Kickboxer.

Both "Klischko Brothers" were also originally Kickboxers.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fanmio platform suing boxer Ryan Garcia, promoter Golden Boy

Ryan Garcia and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy, were sued Thursday by the entertainment platform Fanmio, which was set to broadcast a December 2024 pay-per-view featuring the boxing star in Tokyo.

Garcia announced Dec. 15 that he was forced to withdraw from the boxing exhibition vs. kickboxer Rukiya Anpo because of a wrist injury. The 26-year old is now set to fight former champion Rolly Romero in a welterweight contest May 2 in Times Square.

It will be Garcia's first bout since he was suspended one year following his April win over Devin Haney that was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Fanmio disputes that Garcia is contractually able to fight on another show before he fulfills his obligation to the organization. Fanmio sued in U.S District Court in California for alleged fraudulent inducement, tortious interference and breach of contract (eight claims in all).

"Despite receiving payment and the promotion being well underway, Fanmio was deceived into organizing an event in which Ryan never intended to participate," the statement read. "In addition, Golden Boy Promotions actively worked to sabotage the event. ... Despite Ryan's exclusivity to the event, he is set to fight on May 2 in Times Square, disregarding his contractual obligations."

Garcia's attorney, Guadalupe Valencia, told ESPN on Friday, "this suit has no merit whatsoever. We will respond vigorously when the time is appropriate."

A spokesperson for Golden Boy Promotions declined comment.

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) remains under suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission and unable to fight in a sanctioned bout until April 20. His first with Romero, which will headline a Ring Magazine show, will be Garcia's first bout at the 147-pound welterweight limit.

Fanmio and its owner, Solomon Engel, are facing a lawsuit, too, in Miami. Former UFC champion Nate Diaz filed suit in July claiming that he was paid $1 million up front but still owed $9 million following his July 6 victory over Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match promoted by Fanmio.

"The lawsuit with Nate Diaz was moved to arbitration after we got it dismissed from court last year," Engel told ESPN on Friday. "We're close to a ruling on the case, as we had a hearing before the arbitration panel. With the evidence supported for Fanmio's position, we are very hopeful to get a favorable result."

Fanmio's other high-profile boxing event was a rousing commercial success, a June 2021 Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul boxing exhibition in Miami.