LOS ANGELES – Ryan Garcia is profiting from his time on the sidelines as a result of suspension by taking over Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition on December 30 in Tokyo, Japan.
Garcia examined constructive for the banned substance ostarine after his April 20 struggle towards Devin Haney. Garcia’s majority choice win, which featured three knockdowns, has since been modified to a no contest as a result of violation, and Haney has even sued Garcia for battery after the struggle.
Garcia, 26, is utilizing the showcase alternative abroad to get a head begin on his eventual return, which might’t be till April 20, 2025.
“This exhibition is one thing that we’ve been discussing for some time, and it lastly occurred and got here collectively,” Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez instructed BoxingScene on Saturday because the Oscar De La Hoya Basis hosted its twenty fifth Annual Turkey Giveaway on the Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Constitution Excessive Faculty.
“We’re his promoters, so we’re concerned. We’re finalizing the entire remaining particulars [with the contracted weight and rounds] now. It’s nice for Japan to have the ability to have a star like Ryan do his factor. It’s not knowledgeable struggle, but it surely’s considerably of a struggle. He’s in his prime. It’s extra of a stay-busy factor, and he desires to remain in form. It’s a win-win.”
Gomez stated Garcia is in a greater place now after a tumultuous promotion to the Haney struggle that featured a heavy food plan of erratic conduct from Garcia on social media. The uneven trip led all the best way to the struggle, which featured Garcia coming in 3.2 kilos over the 140-pound contracted weight restrict.
“[The state of Ryan] is nice,” stated Gomez. “He’s motivated. He’s serving his suspension, but it surely’s one thing that has given him an opportunity to mirror. It’s helped him mature. He’s concentrating on his household and his children. He’s coaching and staying in form. It’s good and all constructive.
“Proper now, his large factor is that he can’t wait to return again and begin going after a few of these large names on the market. Come April 20 and anytime after, he can return when the suspension is finished. We’re already beginning to have some preliminary talks and making an attempt to give you an thought of when he may return. A rematch with Haney is being thought of as nicely. However there is no such thing as a particular opponent.”
Gomez famous that Garcia’s comeback could possibly be restricted to the obtainable opponent pool primarily based on boxing’s growing schedule via the primary quarter of 2025.
“We’ve to attend and see what occurs with a number of the different fighters,” stated Gomez. “There are lots of fighters we’re contemplating. He’s very severe at combating at 154 kilos. He’s instructed us he’s keen to struggle there. You see him – he’s a giant child, tall, and has the body for it. He carries the burden nicely and works arduous to get all the way down to 140. Actually, I don’t even know if he may even make 140 kilos any extra. However he can problem any of these guys
“Personally, I would really like for him to take some form of a tuneup struggle, however understanding Ryan, he’s going to need to go after an actual title. I would not go after the highest champions simply but, however he’s going to need to struggle an actual fighter. We’re contemplating everyone and something.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports activities, USA At the moment, The Guardian, Newsweek, Males’s Well being, NFL.com, Los Angeles Occasions, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Journal and extra. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He will be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, via e-mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or by way of www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
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