Ryan Garcia received’t be preventing once more in 2024.
FANMIO, the group selling the occasion alongside RIZIN, introduced Sunday through press launch that Garcia’s upcoming exhibition boxing bout in opposition to Rukiya Anpo has been postponed from its Dec. 30 date. In response to the announcement, Garcia suffered a wrist harm in coaching camp.
The bout is predicted to be rescheduled for a to-be-determined date in 2025.
“I’ve been eagerly getting ready for my upcoming exhibition combat in Japan, coaching onerous in Dallas over the previous a number of weeks,” Garcia stated within the launch. “Sadly, I sustained a hand harm throughout coaching and returned to Los Angeles to be seen by the physician, who has suggested me to postpone my December 30 exhibition.”
“That is solely a brief setback, and I sincerely apologize to my followers, FANMIO, RIZIN and Anpo for the delay,” Garcia added. “Nobody is extra upset than I’m. Thanks for being so supportive.”
Garcia’s bout with Anpo has already been the topic of controversy, with Garcia’s Golden Boy Promotions boss Oscar De La Hoya initially stating that he had not signed off on the exhibition match (De La Hoya is but to observe up on the standing of the bout, although RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara has expressed confidence the bout will proceed as deliberate).
Additional drama arose when Anpo no-showed a press conference in Tokyo to advertise the bout, admitting that he selected to sleep in and that he didn’t respect Garcia.
Anpo was additionally included in Sunday’s press launch, saying, “I’ve been advised that Ryan is out resulting from an harm. I’m upset to say the least, however knocking out an injured opponent received’t imply something, so I want him a speedy restoration and hope I can face the 100% model of Ryan Garcia. Get effectively quickly and I’ll allow you to kiss my fist any time!”
Garcia’s involvement within the combat raised crimson flags from day one, with the favored boxer presently serving a suspension within the U.S. for a failed drug take a look at tied to his April 20 bout in opposition to Devin Haney. That bout initially led to a majority choice win for Garcia, however was later overturned to a no-contest following the take a look at outcomes. Garcia additionally missed weight for the bout by 3.5 kilos, which means he was ineligible to win Haney’s WBC tremendous light-weight title whatever the end result.