Ryan Garcia headed to RIZIN? Suspended boxer rumored for New Years Eve exhibition bout in Japan

So much for retirement, or rehab.

Troubled boxer Ryan Garcia was recently suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission after failing a drug test for Ostarine. But that may not stop the 25 year old from trying to compete later this year in Japan.

Although nothing has been confirmed, there are reports suggesting that Garcia has obtained permission from Golden Boy to participate in an exhibition boxing match for RIZIN, a Japanese promotion, on their highly anticipated New Year’s Eve event. It is worth noting that RIZIN has previously hosted exhibition matches featuring Floyd Mayweather in 2018 and 2022, and they have also scheduled a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Chihiro Suzuki for Super RIZIN 3 on July 28.

Keep your eye on Super RIZIN 3, as RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara has suggested Ryan Garcia may be in attendance. That would certainly add a lot more smoke to this report of a potential New Year’s Eve fight.

Garcia’s chances of earning a good amount of money are hindered by the NYSAC suspension, which will last until April 20th. Suspensions issued by reputable commissions are usually respected by other commissions worldwide. Although Japan may have a less strict commission oversight, Garcia would undoubtedly face the anger of the NYSAC if he attempts to participate in any competition during his suspension, even if it is only an exhibition.

Engaging in combat while suspended appears to be an ill-advised decision, which aligns with the kind of behavior one would expect from Ryan Garcia.

Recent Garcia incidents include a troubling video where he is accused of breaking into his ex-wife’s home, and a racist rant which got him ejected from the WBC. The bad publicity pushed Garcia to claim he was going into rehab, but that may have just been a smokescreen to distract the press from his bizarre behavior.