Ryan Garcia is set to make a controversial return to the ring, despite failing a drugs test shortly after his showdown with Devin Haney earlier this year.
The 26-year-old locked horns with Devin Haney back in April, flooring his former amateur rival three times before scoring a sizable upset on points.
But then, Ryan Garcia’s majority decision victory was ruled a no-contest once it emerged that he had tested positive for ostarine, a performance-enhancing substance.
Yet now, while he was swiftly handed a year-long ban by the New York State Athletic Commission, it would appear that his return may arrive sooner than anticipated.
Ryan Garcia is set to face Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition match
Shortly after his clash with Garcia, Haney decided to file a lawsuit against the social media star, alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment.
But while the legal case is still ongoing – and, more importantly, he is still yet to serve his ban – Garcia has nonetheless been presented with an opportunity to stay active.
The American announced earlier this month that he will be taking on Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition match on December 30.
Since then, the pair have already come face-to-face, with Anpo, who faced boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in an exhibition earlier this year, standing his ground in an intense stare down.
Not only that, but Garcia’s next opponent doubled down on his belligerence at yesterday’s press conference by throwing a piece of paper at the former world title challenger, before saying, “f*** you.”
Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya could scupper Ryan Garcia’s exhibition match
In an interesting development, Golden Boy boss Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Garcia, revealed that he could pull the plug on his fighter’s exhibition.
“Golden Boy Promotions has exclusive rights to Ryan Garcia’s fights,” De La Hoya wrote on X. “The organizers of this event 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.”
De La Hoya has navigated Garcia’s career since his professional debut, with the pair developing a turbulent relationship that has encountered several pitfalls.
But still, the talented fighter has remained loyal to the two-time Hall of Fame inductee, securing a series of astronomical paydays in the process.
That said, we could potentially witness a turn of the tide should De La Hoya attempt to jeopardize Garcia’s exhibition against Anpo.