Ryan Garcia is walking on a tightrope. But, how so? Rumors are that Golden Boy Promotions has allowed Ryan Garcia to compete in an exhibition match in Japan this December. But, how will it work considering that NYSAC has handed him a one-year suspension? It would be stupid to assume that Garcia will serve his ban in quiet contemplation. Notably, Garcia is a high-functioning individual who needs to be occupied with something to prevent himself from going off the rails.

Even the promises of going to rehab weren’t fulfilled as Garcia is currently in Japan and even attended the Rizin 3 event. Thereafter, he even had a face-off with Manny Pacquiao. “It’s on like donkey Kong @mannypacquiao. I love you and respect you. But a battle is a battle,” Garcia wrote on X after his meet with the boxing great. On top of that, he was ringside during the Manny Pacquiao exhibition fight and even challenged Pacquiao’s opponent Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo to a boxing match. But, how will NYSAC respond to these developments? Will he even be allowed to box in Japan if he so chooses? Let us explore the chances of Garcia securing a fight against Pacquiao or Anpo at an upcoming RIZIN event.

Why was Ryan Garcia suspended? How long before NYSAC gives him the green light?

The New York State Athletic Commission banned Garcia for 12 months after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drug Ostarine. It wasn’t the only penalty that Garcia had to pay as his win against Devin Haney was declared a no-contest; he had to forfeit his fight purse of $1 million too, as well as pay a $10,000 fine directly to NYSAC.

“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” NYSAC’s statement read. This means that Garcia will fight again in New York State only after April 20, 2025, provided he passes a drug test. Although the suspension applies only to fights in New York, other state athletic commissions in US typically comply with rulings in other jurisdictions. Thus, Garcia can’t fight anywhere in the United States till the period he remains suspended.

Garcia’s A samples tested positive for Ostarine the day before and the day of the fight against Devin Haney. Subsequently, the B-samples also tested positive, and the NYSAC’s ruling was the final nail in the Garcia drug case. However, Garcia continues to maintain his innocence, claiming that he “was a victim of substance contamination.” “I’m innocent. I stand by that I don’t care what everyone says. I didn’t take PEDs,” Garcia wrote on X after the discovery.

To make matters worse, the WBC also expelled Ryan Garcia for his racist and Islamophobic rant against African Americans and Muslims on social media. “Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” the WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman declared on X.

The exact sanctions by the WBC remain unclear, but it is speculated that he will be barred from ranking in the organization or any WBC world title fight. Amidst, the series of punishments meted out to him, Garcia landed in Japan recently and hinted at a possible fight there.

Ryan Garcia rumored to fight in Japan: Can he legally participate?

Ryan Garcia was at the RIZIN 3 event in Japan. He was ringside to witness legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao clash against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo. After the fight, Ryan Garcia went into the ring to challenge both fighters to a boxing match. “I want to fight in Japan. And I want to challenge Anpo or Manny, whoever.” Moreover, Garcia made a bold claim of knocking out Rukiya Anpo in three rounds. But, is a fight in Japan possible for Garcia?

All professional boxing matches in Japan are overseen and sanctioned by the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC). Therefore, if Ryan Garcia intends to fight in a professional boxing match in Japan, it will come under the jurisdiction of the JBC. As things stand, whether Ryan Garcia can compete in Japan while serving an NYSAC suspension will depend on any agreement or policies the JBC has with the commission in New York. Some reports suggest that Japan is a place where the commission oversight is sketchy.

However, that is a concern only if the match is a professional boxing match. If the match is an exhibition match like the one Manny Pacquiao had, they need not be sanctioned by the JBC even if it happens in Japan. So, technically Ryan Garcia is free to fight in Japan, provided it is an exhibition match and RIZIN wants him to fight in their promotion.

According to media reports, Garcia could fight in an exhibition boxing match for the Japanese promotion on their New Year’s Eve card. But one thing is for sure, it would certainly not go down well with the New York State Athletic Commission.

Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if Ryan Garcia takes up any offers to fight in Japan. Let us know your thoughts on this matter in the comments below.