Ryan Garcia & Golden Boy Sued Over Japan Exhibition Breakdown
Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions have been sued by streaming platform Fanmio after the breakdown of their boxing exhibition in Japan.
Garcia was scheduled to face Rukiya Anpo on December 31 last year. It would have been Garcia’s first appearance since his no-contest against Devin Haney. Garcia’s win over Haney was overturned after his failed VADA tests for Ostarine. While Ryan received a year ban, meaning he could not box until April 2025, it did not stop him from having an exhibition overseas. The presser for the Anpo fight took place, as all sides appeared on board.
However, Fanmio alleges that Golden Boy’s contract with Ryan prevented him from fighting for another promotion. They are now requesting damages over a breach of contract and much more. This is even more problematic as Ryan will box Rolando Romero on May 2. The fight with Romero will earn Ryan more than the exhibition. However, a lawsuit is not ideal, given he was also sued by Devin Haney following their fight. Ryan was also involved in a legal battle with Golden Boy last year, making it a tough period for the boxing star.
Fanmio Reacts
“Specifically, Garcia agreed to participate in an exhibition fight in Japan. [This was a] fight which Fanmio agreed to promote and broadcast to millions of viewers through its worldwide pay-per-view streaming network. Thereafter, Golden Boy — threatened by Fanmio’s involvement — improperly used its influence over and contract with Garcia to prevent the match from happening.
“But not only was the boxing match not prohibited by the Golden Boy contract. But also the king’s ransom demanded by Golden Boy to allow the fight to go forward. [It] ultimately led to the boxer relying on a pre-existing injury and backing out of the fight. [This was] when Fanmio refused to agree to Golden Boy’s terms. This, however, was not until Fanmio had already incurred over $1 million in expenses working to promote the Dec. 31, 2024 fight.
More Reaction
“Garcia could have fought in both the exhibition and the Times Square fight. Both Fanmio and Golden Boy and Garcia could have made substantial profits. However, Fanmio is left holding the bag — quite literally — for the sums that it had already expanded in order to promote the exhibitions, as well as the millions in lost profits it sustained as a result of Garcia and Golden Boy’s misconduct.
“Those costs had already been incurred prior to Garcia feigning injury in Dec. 2024. Upon information and belief, Garcia is being paid $40 million for the Times Square fight and his next fight through Golden Boy. Golden Boy is expected to see profits well in excess of that given Garcia’s popularity. On the other hand, in addition to losing out on the $1 million that Fanmio had already incurred promoting the exhibition, Fanmio will not take home any profits on a fight which will not take place — profits that could have totaled in excess of $10 million,” Fanmio’s statement
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