Ryan Garcia skirts drug test suspension with RIZIN boxing fight

Blaine Henry

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Publish Date: 11/20/2024

Ryan Garcia is not taking his suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency seriously.

“King Ry” was announced for a new event today and it’s leaving some fans scratching their heads. The 26-year-old superstar will be in front of the fans before his one year suspension is up.

The American was suspended in earlier this year for a failed drug test after his one sided beat down of Devin Haney. But Garcia has found a way to get around that and it’s a trick boxing knows well.

Who is Garcia fighting in RIZIN?

Ryan Garcia announced today that he’s fighting an exhibition bout for RIZIN on December 30th, well in the time of his suspension. While this may not go on his official record, Garcia will get paid and be able to stay active for the time being.

'I'd Knock You Out in 3 Rounds!' - Ryan Garcia to Rizin Boxer Anpo

Ryan Garcia is taking on Rukiya Anpo at RIZIN DECADE in Japan. The event is the MMA promotion’s tentpole 10-year anniversary event that also features a title fight between Chihiro Suzuki and Kleber Koike Ernst.

RIZIN is no stranger to exhibitions and has famously done things like Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa and Rukiya Anpo vs. Manny Pacquiao in the past.

Garcia and Anpo will be the latest chapter in RIZIN’s flirtation with the freak show boxing fights that pits their stars against the biggest names in boxing. It has not been confirmed the rules of the bout but history suggests eight two minute rounds.

Garcia then claimed he’s going to return to boxing proper and go after Jake Paul “for Uncle Mike”, referring to Mike Tyson’s loss to “The Problem Child” this weekend past.

Why is Ryan Garcia suspended?

Garcia is having to skirt the suspension for a failed WADA drug test back in May. He failed for a positive test for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug, in both his A and B samples.

The drug test stemmed from his one sided beat down of Devin Haney on June 20th. That fight, which was originally a decision for Garcia, was overturned to a no contest.

Addidionally, Garcia was suspended for a year and funded $1.1 million. Garcia’s since struggled with several outburst, including using racial slurs in July. This saw Garcia expelled by the WBC, one of boxing’s four main title organizers.

Garcia is scheduled to come back in April if he can pass all of his future drug tests. But it does seem that Garcia has found a way to stay active and keep his skills sharp.