Tag: Ryan Garcia

Fanmio lawsuit claims Ryan Garcia ‘feigned’ injury to get out of exhibition fight

Fanmio has filed a lawsuit against Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions over an exhibition bout against Rukiya Anpo.

An entertainment company says boxer Ryan Garcia feigned an injury last year to back out of an exhibition fight, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in California.

Fanmio, the company based in Florida, is suing Garcia for breach of contract. The lawsuit centers on a exhibition that was to pit Garcia against Rukiya Anpo – a bout that would have given Garcia a chance to fight while he is serving a one-year suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

Garcia announced Dec. 15 he had suffered a wrist injury during training camp and would have to postpone the exhibition fight against on Dec. 30 in Tokyo. He had agreed to the exhibition and was contractually obligated to participate, according to the complaint.

But Fanmio, the promoter for the exhibition, said Garcia “feigned” the injury and backed out on Dec. 14, a day before the event.

On Jan. 20, it was announced that Garcia would fight in Rolly Romero in New York on May 2, about two weeks after his suspension is set to end. He tested positive for Ostarine the weekend of his April 2024 fight against Devin Haney in Brooklyn that Garcia won by majority decision.

“Instead, with no sign of any surgery or recovery from the ‘injury’ that prevented him from participating in the Exhibition, Garcia is set to fight against Rolly Romero in New York on May 2 — the Times Square Fight,” the complaint states.

Lupe Valencia, an attorney who represents Garcia, told USA TODAY Sports the boxer “didn’t do anything wrong and we’re going to respond to the lawsuit. There’s nothing more to add than that.”

A news release issued Dec. 15 said the boxer had been evaluated three days earlier by orthopedic surgeon Steven Shin of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles for an aggravated bilateral wrist injury.

“I recommend that he hold off on sparring and boxing matches for several weeks,” Shin said, according to the news release. “Treatment options will be discussed with Mr. Garcia after further evaluation.”

Fanmio also is suing Golden Boy Promotions, with which Garcia is under contract. Fanmio says Golden Boy Promotions “improperly used its influence over and contract with Garcia to prevent the match from happening.”

Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, did not immediately respond to USA TODAY Sports’ requests for comment left by voicemail and text message.

Ryan Garcia wants to fight Jake Paul – and end his career

Ryan Garcia had strong words for Jake Paul and explained why he wants a fight vs. “The Problem Child.”

After [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag]’s unanimous decision over [autotag]Mike Tyson[/autotag] earlier this month, speculation instantly turned to Paul’s next opponent. [autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag] threw his hat into the ring and doubled-down on his callout Tuesday.

“It would be huge,” Garcia said during a Tuesday appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.”. “I see it everywhere. Everywhere I go, people are asking me to fight Jake Paul. I’ve got to give the people what they want, that’s what I’m used to doing.”

Garcia is serving a year-long suspension after testing positive for a banned substance prior to his April fight against Devin Haney. Garcia’s New York State professional boxer license is suspended until April 20, 2025, but that’s not stopping him from attempting to get into the ring.

Garcia seemed set to fight Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition match in Tokyo on Dec. 30, but Golden Boy Promotions disputed the notion Tuesday. In a statement, it said that “Golden Boy Promotions has exclusive rights to Ryan Garcia’s fights. The organizers of this event (Garcia vs. Anpo) 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.”

Garcia said he wanted the fight as payback for Anpo “beating up” Manny Pacquiao. (Anpo, who was 28 at the time, participated in a July exhibition boxing match against Pacquiao, 45.)

“I saw this dude way bigger than Manny Pacquiao and way younger, just beating up — well, trying to beat up — on him,” Garcia said. “Just throwing haymakers the whole fight and just being obnoxious in the ring. I was like, ‘Oh my God, dude. If they give me a chance, I’ll knock this dude out.'”

Garcia said the same logic applies to Paul, 27, who faced off against Tyson, 58.

“He was trying to beat up on Uncle Mike (Tyson),” Garcia said. “Like I said, the same way I feel about Manny Pacquiao, the same way I feel about this.”

Garcia said should they fight, he has every intention of knocking Paul out.

“If Jake fights the way he fought with Mike, I genuinely believe I would knock him out within four (or) five rounds,” Garcia said. “We said we would run it one day. He came to my gym a long time ago in Victorville, then he came to visit me with the Canelo (Alvarez) camp — this is before he boxed. So I kind of gave birth to his boxing career, so I’m here to end it. That’s it.”

Garcia has mainly fought in the lightweight (135 pounds) and super lightweight (140 pounds) divisions, while Paul weighed in at 227 pounds ahead of his bout with Tyson. Garcia said he would be willing to fight at a weight disadvantage if the two agreed to a match. He cited the June 2021 exhibition match between Logan Paul (189.5 pounds) and Floyd Mayweather (155 pounds) as an example.

This story first appeared on USA Today Sports.

Video: Ryan Garcia vs. Rukiya Anpo press conference live stream (4 p.m. ET)

Before Ryan Garcia returns to the ring Dec. 30 in Japan, he takes part in an introductory press conference Tuesday in Beverly Hills.

The introductory press conference for [autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Rukiya Anpo[/autotag] takes place Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., and you can watch a live stream of the festivities right here at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

Despite currently serving a one-year suspension handed down by the New York State Athletic Commission after a positive drug test in April, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) will fight Japanese kickboxer Anpo in an exhibition bout against on Dec. 30 in Tokyo.

But before they meet in the ring, Garcia and Anpo will come face to face for the first time at Tuesday’s press conference.

You can watch in the video above.

Ryan Garcia gets vandalism charge dismissed, lecture from judge in L.A. court

An upscale Beverly Hills hotel had told police that Ryan Garcia caused more than $15,000 in damage.

LOS ANGELES — A judge dismissed [autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag]’s misdemeanor charge of vandalism Tuesday, noting the boxer has made restitution to the Waldolf Astoria, the upscale Beverly Hills hotel that told police Garcia did more than $15,000 in damage, and that he has no criminal record.

Judge James P. Cooper III granted a civil compromise at the Airport Courthouse in dismissing the case over the objections of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. He also lectured Garcia as the boxer stood next to his attorney, Michael Goldstein.

“Mr. Goldstein and I have seen athletes lose their money, very quickly, because people always want to be around you to party when you have the money,” Cooper said from the bench. “But when that money’s gone, your friends are no longer around and they no longer have their hands out because your money’s gone. And you can look at Mike Tyson. It happened to Muhammad Ali. It happens to a lot of people in your field. …

“Listen to Mr. Goldstein, listen to people who are older because we’ve been around the block a few times, OK? And we know what’s going on. So good luck, son.’’

Garcia, standing next to his attorney, said, “Thank you, your honor.”

In objecting to the judge’s decision to dismiss the case by civil compromise, deputy district attorney Eric Algorri said the vandalism involved luxury items at a luxury hotel.

The reported damages included a well-mounted TV, a refrigerator, two hallway sconce lights, a vase and a metal casing for a door hinge, according to Pamela J. Johnson, a public information specialist for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

But Cooper overruled the objection and explained his decision.

“By accepting the hotel’s representation that they received full compenstation and that they’re not seeking any further action, I am simply accelerating what would happen,” Cooper said. “The court is also mindful of the fact that the court issues a lot of restitution orders and I will say that 95 percent of them, the victim never receives satisfaction. And I think in this situation, where the defedant has made full restitution, in a weird sort of way he’s sort of shown a lot of remorse for what happened and I think he gets the benefit of his bargain.”

Outside the courtroom, Garcia told USA TODAY Sports, “I’m just thankful that we got a good result. And, yeah, just ready to get back on track and do better.’’

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In objecting to the judge’s decision to dismiss the case by civil compromise, deputy district attorney Eric Algorri said the vandalism involved luxury items at a luxury hotel.

The reported damages included a well-mounted TV, a refrigerator, two hallway sconce lights, a vase and a metal casing for a door hinge, according to Pamela J. Johnson, a public information specialist for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The embattled 26-year-old boxer is serving a one-year suspension for testing positive for a banned substance the day before and day of his fight against Devin Haney on April 20 in Brooklyn. On Sept. 27, citing the positive drug test, Haney sued Garcia for fraud, battery and breach of contract, according to a copy of the lawsuit.

The legal issue began June 8 when Garcia was arrested by the Beverly Hills Police Department at the Waldorf Astoria on a felony charge of vandalism.

“You had the Beverly Hills Police Department taking really good care of him,” said Garcia’s attorney, Michael Goldstein. “They were very professional, and we appreciated that.”

Goldstein stressed the positive impact Garcia making restitution and having no criminal record had on the judge’s decision. Another option was for Garcia to agree to pre-trial diversion. “But that would have just kicked the can down the road … The court didn’t want to hamper his ability to train and keeping something like this renting free space in his head. So I think now he’s free from this and he can pursue everything else he wants to do and he’s back on track.”

The District Attorney’s office decided to prosecute the case July 18 and reduced the charge to a misdemeanor.

On Aug. 8, Garcia pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

This story originally published at USA TODAY Sports.

Troubled boxer Ryan Garcia expelled by WBC after racist and Islamophobic rant

Ryan Garcia continues to sabotage his own career.

[autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag] continues to sabotage his own career.

Garcia has been expelled by the World Boxing Council Thursday after he used racist and Islamophobic slurs during a conversation on “X Spaces.”

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman took to “X” to expel the boxing star.

“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. I fear for Ryan well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.”

Garcia’s career has been on a downward spiral. He currently is serving a one-year suspension from the the New York State Athletic Commission after failing a pre-fight and fight-day drug test for his boxing match against Devin Haney in April.

Garcia’s “A” and later-tested “B” samples showed the presence of the banned substance ostarine. As a result, his majority decision win over Haney was overturned to a no contest. Two months later, the 25-year-old was arrested for felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills.

Thursday, Garcia’s parents addressed their son’s actions, stating that they don’t associate with any of his beliefs.

“Our son has recently made statements that do not align with his, or our family’s true character or beliefs. Our family unequivocally does not support any statements (Garcia) has made regarding race or religion – these do not reflect who Ryan truly is and how he was raised. Those who know Ryan can attest to this fact. Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years and as a family we are committed to ensuring and encouraging that he receives the necessary help to navigate this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being. We appreciate the continued support, prayers and compassion.”

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Ryan Garcia reacts to one-year suspension for failed PED test: ‘Boxing sucks I’m goin to the UFC’

Ryan Garcia says he’s going to the UFC after being suspended for one year and seeing his win Devin Haney win overturned.

[autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag] says he’s heading to the UFC as his boxing career is on hold for a year.

Thursday, reports surfaced that Garcia (24-1) settled upon an agreement with the New York State Athletic Commission after the boxer failed a pre-fight and fight-day drug test for his bout against Devin Haney. Garcia’s “A” and later-tested “B” samples showed the presence of the banned substance ostarine.

As a result of the agreement with NYSAC, Garcia is now suspended for one year, will forfeit $1.1 million of his official contract purse to Golden Boy Promotions, of which a portion Haney (31-0) could receive. Garcia was also fined by the commission $10,000, the maximum the state allows.

Perhaps most importantly to Garcia, his majority decision win over Haney has been overturned to a no contest, erasing a massive upset victory and restoring Haney’s undefeated record.

In an Instagram post, Garcia, apparently upset at the outcome, said Haney got what he wanted. Since he cannot box for a year, “King” said he will take his talents to the UFC.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8dAFSUyaHX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Hey look at this cry baby get what he wants

I never cheated

They banned me for a year, I HATE ALL YALL FAKE AHHH PEOPLE

Boxing sucks I’m going to the ufc

Garcia, 25, has consistently denied intentionally taking a banned substance, despite accepting the terms of the agreement with NYSAC.

In a second post on Instagram, Garcia shared a statement from his legal team, with a much different tone in the caption:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8dJ29vSZCC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

From my team to yours

Big thanks for everyone’s support

I appreciate you, I LOVE JESUS WITH ALL MY HEART

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Reports: Ryan Garcia’s NYSAC settlement includes fines, one-year suspension; win over Devin Haney overturned

According to reports, Ryan Garcia’s win vs. Devin Haney will become a no-contest in his settlement with NYSAC, among fines and a suspension.

Repercussions for [autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag]’s positive test for performance-enhancing drugs have become a reality, erasing a massive upset.

Garcia (24-1) tested positive for ostarine in VADA tests before and on the day of his fight against Devin Haney on April 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., putting his majority decision victory in jeopardy. Garcia submitted a “B” sample, which also returned positive for the banned substance.

Despite denying intentional PED use, the boxing star has reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission, including overturning the win over Haney (31-0) to a no contest, according to a first report from boxing journalist Dan Rafael.

In addition, Garcia has agreed to a one-year suspension from boxing, must forfeit his $1.1M official contract purse to Golden Boy Promotions, and must pay the commission a $10,000 fine, which is the maximum the state allows.

Garcia’s team addressed the issue in a statement, maintaining that the boxer did not intentionally take a banned substance.

“Ryan Garcia was a victim of substance contamination, with levels measured in the billions and trillions of a gram, which provided no advantage whatsoever in the ring,” Team Garcia wrote in a statement.

“Ryan, with his legal team, has resolved this issue and firmly maintains his truth: he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature.

“For many years, Ryan has voluntarily submitted to random testing, even during out-of-competition periods, and has never had any issues. He has maintained an impeccable and clean record throughout his career, significantly elevating and transcending the sport of boxing, earning respect and admiration from millions of fans worldwide.

“The fans will always remember his performance against Haney as a masterclass, and that will never be erased.

“Ryan will continue to elevate the sport and will be actively involved in advocating for reform. We hope future changes in our system will address issues like this one.

“We want to thank all of the fans who have continued to support Ryan, not only during the great moments but also through the difficult times that life brings. He will be back in the ring soon and better than ever!”

The loss was the first of Haney’s professional career, but due to the settlement, will once again see a zero in his loss column.

“I want to thank the commission and the fans who stood by me during this whole process,” Haney told ESPN. “The facts are the facts, and I wasn’t on an even playing field. Happy I was able to receive justice for what happened. It’s all part of my story and it’s only going to make me better. I look to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what’s next.

“I’m a clean athlete and boxing is a brutal sport where one fight can literally change your life. I think it important for fighters to be clean and I want to become an advocate for clean athletes for my experience in this situation.”

The no contest result is the first for both 25-year-old boxers.

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Gilbert Burns: Conor McGregor ‘pulling up the Ryan Garcia card’ ahead of UFC 303

Gilbert Burns thinks Conor McGregor is playing mind games to make people think his UFC 303 fight is in jeopardy.

[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] is playing mind games to make people think his UFC 303 fight is in jeopardy.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is expected to meet Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) in the June 29 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, several factors have had many skeptical if McGregor has suffered an injury and is out of the fight.

McGregor posted and later deleted an old video on his Instagram story which hinted at a possible injury, causing even more speculation. However, Chandler’s Kill Cliff FC teammate Burns is convinced that the fight is still on. He thinks McGregor is emulating [autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag]’s antics ahead of his Devin Haney fight, where he had people thinking he wasn’t mentally fit to compete.

“The press conference was supposed to be like two weeks ago and the press conference got crazy,” Burns said on his YouTube channel. “I think, my opinion, Conor McGregor is pulling up the Ryan Garcia card – you know, trying to act a little bit crazy. We saw a picture this guy in the hospital.

“I do think if he had any type of injury and he was in the hospital, for sure the guy not going to do any post that he’s in the hospital hanging out. I think he’s bluffing. I think he’s good. The fight’s going to happen and just making people overthinking, maybe play with the odds like Ryan Garcia did. But I think the fight is happening. I think he’s ready. I think it’s going to be a good fight.”

The UFC announced that it had “postponed” the UFC 303 pre-fight press conference featuring McGregor and Chandler about 12 hours before it was set to take place June 3 in Dublin. However, just 16 days out from UFC 303, no official word has been given on the state of the fight.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.

Report: Ryan Garcia arrested for felony vandalism at Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills

Ryan Garcia continues to court controversy and trouble after he reportedly was arrested in Beverly Hills.

[autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag] continues to court controversy and trouble after he reportedly was arrested in Beverly Hills.

The 25-year-old boxer was taken into custody for felony vandalism at the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the ritzy Los Angeles suburb, TMZ reported Saturday. The site posted video of Garcia being led away in handcuffs, allegedly for damaging hotel property in his room and a hallway and reported Garcia appeared to be under the influence.

The cops also were called to the hotel earlier in the week to perform a welfare check on Garcia, who reportedly then was cut off later in the day from being served alcohol at hotel bars.

Garcia drew headlines going into his fight against Devin Haney and had people questioning his mental health. His upset of Haney steered that conversation elsewhere temporarily, even after Garcia admitted post-fight he drank every night leading up to the fight.

But then things really took a turn when Garcia tested positive for Ostarine. His “B” sample tested positive, as well. His legal team has asserted he’s without fault.

A date for a hearing for Garcia with the New York State Athletic Commission has not been announced. He faces a suspension, fines and the overturning of his win. Haney was unbeaten entering the fight.

But now he also may face some legal issues in California.

After his win over Haney, he talked about his personal problems.

“I don’t give a f*ck what people say about me,” Garcia said. “… I drank every single night. Went out on the first Monday and Tuesday (of fight week), and drank, drank, drank. What happened? I won. I’m not necessarily proud of it, but I’m just saying. It was a statement to say you guys can’t really f*ck with me. I can do whatever I want. … I drank every day and did whatever I wanted. I’m not proud of it at all. I just pray for my kids, and hopefully, they are OK. I hope I made them proud.”

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Ryan Garcia’s team reasserts claim of supplement contamination after upset of Devin Haney

After a second positive drug test for boxer Ryan Garcia, his legal team has issued an additional statement saying he is without fault.

In the wake of confirmation of a second positive drug test for boxer [autotag]Ryan Garcia[/autotag], his legal team has issued an additional statement asserting he is without fault.

Garcia submitted a “B” sample in the wake of his upset win over Devin Haney in April, but like his “A” sample it was positive for Ostarine, which is a banned substance. Tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

Garcia’s legal team said a hair sample that was tested indicated he could not have been using Ostarine long-term, which would lead to a presumption of supplement contamination.

Thursday, his legal team reiterated that claim and said an upcoming news conference will give more details.

“The test results from samples of two supplements declared by Ryan Garcia on VADA Doping Control Forms, signed on April 19th and 20th, have returned positive for Ostarine contamination,” Garcia’s legal team wrote in a statement. “This confirms what we have consistently maintained: Ryan was a victim of supplement contamination and has never intentionally used any banned or performance-enhancing substances. Any claims to the contrary, questioning Ryan’s integrity as a clean fighter, are unequivocally false and defamatory.

“Throughout his career, Ryan has voluntarily submitted to numerous tests, all of which have returned negative results, underscoring his commitment to fair and clean competition. Additionally, multiple negative tests leading up to his fight against Haney further affirm his clean record. The ultra-low levels of Ostarine detected in his samples, in the billionth of a gram range, along with his clean hair sample proves contamination rather than intentional ingestion. The recent test results reiterate this.

“A press conference will be held next week to provide more insight and answer questions. More details on the conference will be announced in the coming days.”

The samples that tested positive were taken the day before and the day of Garcia’s fight with Haney, who was knocked down three times and lost a majority decision.

A date for a hearing for Garcia with the New York State Athletic Commission has not been announced. He faces a suspension, fines and the overturning of his win. Haney was unbeaten entering the fight.

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