Ryan Garcia is taking a different route to keep his career moving forward. The 25-year-old boxer announced an exhibition match against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo during a press conference at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday. The fight is scheduled for December 30 in Tokyo.
A Return to the Spotlight
This marks Garcia’s first media appearance since his controversial fight against Devin Haney on April 20. Though he initially won by majority decision, the result was overturned after he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine. His record, now 24-1 (20 KOs), was left in limbo, and Garcia received a one-year suspension.
To make matters worse, Haney filed a lawsuit for battery following the bout.
The Exhibition Details
Garcia’s upcoming exhibition offers him a chance to stay active. He will face Anpo, a kickboxer with a 27-8-1 record, who last fought in an exhibition against Manny Pacquiao in July.
FanMio CEO Solomon Engel confirmed the fight would take place over eight two-minute rounds at a 153-pound catchweight. The event, priced at $49.99 on pay-per-view, is expected to draw over 40,000 fans to the Saitama Super Arena.
“This is my only option to stay active during my suspension,” Garcia explained. “I want to stay sharp and keep my rhythm for a bigger fight next year. Taking months off isn’t ideal for any athlete.”
Promoter Dispute
Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia’s promoter, quickly released a statement asserting their exclusive rights to his fights.
The statement read:
“Golden Boy Promotions has exclusive rights to Ryan Garcia’s fights. The organizers of this event [Garcia vs. Anpo] have acknowledged as such and have agreed in writing that our sign-off is needed for this event to occur. As no such sign-off has been given, as of today there is no event with Ryan Garcia.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the uncertainty, Garcia is optimistic about his future. He hinted at potential rematches against Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis, along with bouts against Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Jose Valenzuela for his official return to boxing.
“For now, I just want to give fans a great show and expand my fan base in Japan,” Garcia said. “This is an opportunity to stay ready and prepare for what’s next.”
Whether the exhibition happens or not, Garcia’s focus remains on staying active and preparing for a big return in 2025.
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