Ryan Garcia: Promoter Oscar de la Hoya denies exhibition fight will go ahead

Golden Boy Promotions has denied Ryan Garcia is set to fight in an exhibition bout on 30 December in Japan.

Garcia, 26, announced he was due to face Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo and appeared alongside his opponent in a news conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The American is currently serving a doping suspension in the United States until 20 April 2025 and will need to provide a clean urine test before his licence can be reissued.

Golden Boy chief Oscar de la Hoya reacted to the media event, saying his company had “exclusive rights” to any Garcia fights.

“The organisers of this event have acknowledged as such and have agreed in writing that our sign-off is needed for this event to occur,” he said.

“As no such sign-off has been given, as of today there is no event with Ryan Garcia.”

Garcia failed multiple drug tests before his win over Devin Haney in April.

That win was overturned to a no contest and the New York State Athletic Commission banned Garcia for one year from competing.

The proposed exhibition fight with Anpo is expected to be no more than eight, two-minute rounds with no winner announced.

Golden Boy Promotions had put out a release promoting Tuesday’s news conference before De la Hoya made his statement on social media.

Speaking at the news conference, Garcia said the exhibition fight was his “only option to stay active”.

“This is my only route, so I found a way. Obviously taking months off ruins you, you lose a step, so we’re going to see how it goes.

“From there, we’ll make a decision, I’m just trying to get in the mix of things after a long break, get used to training, stay in shape and just continue developing for a big fight in April.”