Garcia–Anpo Exhibition Was Announced, Then Canceled
Ryan Garcia and Rukiya Anpo were announced for an eight-round exhibition in Tokyo on December 30, 2024, but the proposed matchup did not take place. Golden Boy Promotions said it had not authorized the event, and it was later postponed before the scheduled date.
The event was never approved
Garcia and Anpo promoted the matchup at a November 26, 2024 press conference. Hours later, Garcia’s promoter, Golden Boy, said it held exclusive rights to his fights and had not given the required approval. BBC Sport reported Golden Boy’s statement.
Postponed after a reported wrist injury
On December 15, event promoter Fanmio announced that the exhibition was temporarily postponed after Garcia injured his wrist in training. Fanmio’s announcement said organizers would look for a new date; no Garcia–Anpo fight was later held. Rukiya Anpo instead faced Sina Karimian at RIZIN’s December 31 event.
What followed
Garcia’s next professional bout came against Rolando Romero in May 2025. Anpo’s planned exhibition with Garcia remains a canceled matchup, rather than a result to add to either fighter’s record.
Sources
Tags: MMA, Combat Sports, Garcia
