Ryan Garcia's Wrist Surgery Delays Fight

Ryan Garcia will have wrist surgery, which has delayed his exhibition fight with Rukiya Anpo.

The pair were set to face each other in December at a contracted weight of 153 pounds. They already held two press conferences. Anpo had shown his intentions by pushing Garcia, showing he meant business. Garcia also had plenty to prove following his no-contest against Devin Haney in April. Garcia secured a majority decision win in a huge upset. But he failed VADA tests for Ostarine, meaning the win was overturned.

Garcia’s Surgery

Garcia was then given a year ban, meaning he cannot box until April 2025 in a professional capacity. The Anpo exhibition was ideal since it allowed Garcia to stay sharp in preparation for his pro comeback. It would also give him a sizeable purse. He has suffered from a loss of earnings due to the boxing ban. Haney has also sued Garcia, alleging battery, unjust enrichment and breach of contract, meaning there have been legal expenses in defending this. But Garcia has reassured fans that he will face Anpo on his return. 

"I’m coming on here to say I’m sorry, sorry that I had to postpone this fight. I suffered a hand injury in training camp to my right wrist right here. And after talking to doctors, I’m going to need surgery. And I had to take some time off the heal. I wanna thank Fanmio and Rizin for the opportunity, and I’m still excited to fight in Japan soon.

"And this will all resume right after I heal up in 2025. So make no mistake. I am coming back to finish what we started with Anpo and he will eat his words, I guarantee it. Just need to take some time off but when I come back there will be a bang in Japan," Garcia said 

What’s Next?

However, Ryan has to consider whether it is worth going through. The closer he gets to April, the more the pressure will increase on him to take a pro-fight. He could equally take a tune up against a bigger-named pro to see where he is exactly. But the fight will likely earn him less than an Anpo bout, which is an exhibition in Japan. The next step is vital since Ryan’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has talked up fights against Jaron Ennis and Teofimo Lopez. Both those flights offer Ryan a title shot, meaning he must be in the right state. De La Hoya had big plans for Garcia’s return.

"A fighter having a year layoff is never a good thing. So, his comeback fight must be some kind of warmup fight, a tuneup fight we call in boxing, somebody that is not a world champion. Right now, in his division, whether it’s 147 lbs or in between 140 and 147, there are a lot of great names out there for him.

"Once Ryan gets back in action, once Ryan gets back in rhythm and has a tune-up fight, possibly in late April or maybe early May, then I want to throw him in with the very best. That’s what Ryan wants to do, challenge himself and fight the best, whether it’s Teofimo Lopez or Boots Ennis or whoever the best is," De La Hoya stated 

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.