Ryan Garcia landed in Japan to challenge Manny Pacquiao before the Filipino legend faces Rukiya Anpo on Sunday.
The suspended super lightweight attempts to stay relevant while serving a one-year ban for two positive drug tests. Garcia uses a combination of social media controversy and possible ventures into exhibitions and UFC to keep his name out in the public domain.
Garcia’s latest stunt saw him travel to the Land of the Rising Sun to confront Pacquiao at a media workout. Pacquiao finished training and will return to the ring on Sunday for the first time in 20 months. The boxing superstar faces kickboxer Anpo in a ‘Special Standing Rules’ bout at Super RIZIN 3.
“Let the games begin,” said Garcia as he squared up to Pacquiao.
Following a whirlwind week, Garcia is expected to be ringside to witness the fight despite being unable to face Pacquiao until 2025. Garcia’s suspension ends in April next year. Therefore, he’ll be keen to see if Pacquiao can secure a WBC title fight with welterweight champion Mario Barrios by the end of the year.
Realistically, Garcia could be Pacquiao’s first challenger if he can win the belt from Barrios. However, the 25-year-old has bridges to build with the World Boxing Council.
President Mauricio Sulaiman has expelled Garcia for discriminatory comments made about minorities in one of his social media outbursts.
At the time, Sulaiman said, “Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization. We reject any form of discrimination.”
If Garcia harbors any hopes of a rematch with Devin Haney or facing Pacquiao under the WBC banner, he has work to do to get Sulaiman back on his side.
Right now, Garcia aims to keep his name at the forefront of the boxing world as he approaches nine months until his exile expires.
Regarding Pacquiao vs Barrios, the latter’s coach, Bob Santos, informed World Boxing News this week that all parties will aim to find a suitable date and venue after Pacquiao’s exhibition. However, if ‘Pac-Man’ loses, there could be severe repercussions for the eight-weight champion’s WBC title bid.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
