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Oscar De La Hoya has thrown a wrench into Ryan Garcia's highly anticipated appearance at RIZIN’s Decade event on December 30. The matchup, which was supposed to feature Garcia facing kickboxing standout Rukiya Anpo, has been cast into doubt following a statement from De La Hoya clarifying that Golden Boy Promotions has not approved the fight.
Despite a heated press conference in Japan where Garcia and Anpo engaged in a tense staredown, De La Hoya’s announcement has raised serious questions about the event’s viability.
“Golden Boy Promotions has exclusive rights to Ryan Garcia’s fights,” De La Hoya stated on Twitter. “The event organizers have acknowledged as such and have agreed in writing that our sign-off is needed for this event to occur. As no such sign-off has been given, as of today there is no event with Ryan Garcia.”
This statement dampened what was shaping up to be an electrifying event for RIZIN fans. The potential clash would have marked a significant moment for Garcia, who has remained one of boxing's most talked-about figures in 2024 despite recent controversies.
Garcia’s last outing in April saw him claim a stunning upset victory over Devin Haney in a bout that was ultimately overturned to a No-Contest due to Haney testing positive for Ostarine, a banned substance. While Garcia had denied any involvement in doping scandals, the fallout from the fight has cast a shadow over his otherwise impressive career. Currently serving a one-year suspension, Garcia’s future in professional competition remains uncertain, though the 26-year-old continues to train and explore opportunities in combat sports.
For RIZIN, the uncertainty surrounding Garcia’s involvement adds to the challenges of organizing its Decade event, which is meant to celebrate the promotion’s 10th anniversary. While fans eagerly await clarity, the standoff between Golden Boy Promotions and RIZIN underscores the complexities of cross-promotional arrangements in combat sports.
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