Ryan Garcia could also be suspended from preventing in North America after failing a drug check for Ostarine, however that received’t hold the troubled boxer from competing in an exhibition match in Japan.
MMAMania.com reported months in the past that Garcia was in talks with RIZIN boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara to seem on the promotion’s large New Years Eve celebration card. Garcia went as far as to journey to Tokyo to seem within the ring after Manny Pacquiao boxed to a ‘draw’ towards former Ok-1 champion Rukiya Anpo.
We had Anpo soundly beating Pacquiao of their wild brawl (watch the highlights right here).
Whereas Garcia challenged each Pacquiao and Anpo, it’s Anpo who bought a contract to field “King Ryan,” and the 2 will face off at Rizin 49: Decade on December thirty first (really the thirtieth for these of us in North America). The struggle will probably be held on the 36,000 seat Saitama Tremendous Dome, one of the vital well-known venues in Japanese fight sports activities.
Ight I’ve been quiet for a while however I’ve been cooking on some plans earlier than my precise return to the ring
Right here is the plan earlier than April
Exhibition in December in Japan towards the man who fought getting older manny pac and tried to knock him out.
After which go after Jake for uncle…
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) November 18, 2024
Garcia was contracted to struggle at 140 kilos for his previous two professional fights however missed weight by three kilos for his final bout towards Devin Haney. He’ll don’t have any points in Japan the place the contracted weight is 153 kilos. Anpo held the Ok-1 tremendous light-weight title and fought at 147 kilos. The bout will probably be eight two-minute rounds.
“I’m wanting ahead to knocking Anpo out for attempting to knock out the legend Manny Pacquiao,” Garcia stated in an official assertion on the struggle. “Manny is previous his prime and for him to attempt to knock him out rubbed me the flawed manner. I’ll knock him out and educate him a lesson of respect.”
Will this be a tepid exhibition bout or a full on slobberknocker? RIZIN exhibitions that includes large boxing names have gone each methods, however Anpo’s struggle with Pacquiao leads us to assume this may very well be actual, with the ‘exhibition’ label being a little bit of kabuki to maintain North American commissions from asking too many questions when Garcia applies to get his license again in April 2025.
