An exhibition boxing match between the controversial Ryan Garcia and Rukiya Anpo, which was to feature at RIZIN Decade on New Year’s Eve, has been postponed.
RIZIN officials announced the news via press release. The bout, which came under scrutiny almost immediately after being announced, is now in limbo.
“We regret to inform you that the scheduled fight between Ryan Garcia and Rukiya Anpo, originally planned for Part 1 of RIZIN DECADE on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Saitama Super Arena, has been postponed. Ryan Garcia suffered a hand injury during training and has been issued a doctor’s stoppage,” a statement from RIZIN read. “The fight is now expected to take place in spring 2025, either in Japan or internationally.”
An additional press release shed more insight into the injury.
“I saw Mr. Ryan Garcia on December 12 for recently aggravated bilateral wrist pain,” Dr. Steven Shin of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles, cited as a world-renowned specialist, was quoted as saying. “I recommend that he hold off on sparring and boxing matches for several weeks. Treatment options will be discussed with Mr. Garcia after further evaluation.”
Just a few weeks ago, promoter Oscar De La Hoya threw a wrench in the works, claiming he had never signed off on the fight. “Golden Boy Promotions has exclusive rights to Ryan Garcia’s fights,” De La Hoya wrote (h/t MMA Mania). “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.”
Garcia is currently serving a one-year suspension for use of a banned substance, Ostarine, which saw his match with Devin Haney overturned to a No Contest. Garcia, who had missed weight for the bout, was also fined $1.1 million U.S.
Haney sued Garcia for battery, fraud, and breach of contract over the incident.
