RYAN GARCIA is in talks to fight Manny Pacquiao at an exhibition in Japan – despite serving a drug ban.
Garcia initially defeated American rival Devin Haney in April, scoring three knockdowns in New York.
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But the result was reversed to a no contest after the controversial star tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine.
Garcia received a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission – backdated to April.
But he is still talking about returning to the ring before his ban expires.
Boxing icon Pacquiao took on kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo over three rounds in Tokyo – with Garcia there to watch.
It went the distance with no winner declared and Garcia invaded the ring after the fight to invade the interview and call Pacquiao and Anpo.
And SunSport understands MMA promotion Rizin – who welcomed PacMan back into the ring – spoke to Garcia.
And an exhibition with Pacquiao was discussed – with the pair interested and on board.
This is despite Garcia being eight months away from his NYSAC suspension being lifted.
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But Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara isn’t worried about NYSAC getting in the way of Garcia’s return in an unsanctioned exhibition.
Sakakibara told SunSport: “I don’t think so. Because if that happened it would be an unofficial fight.
“If this unofficial fight takes place in Rizin, Japan, I believe there will be no reason for the New York State Athletic Commission to try to stop Ryan.”
Rizin has twice organized exhibition fights for Floyd Mayweather, 47, and more recently for Pacquiao, 45.
Garcia, 25, protested his innocence after testing positive for the banned substance Ostarine.
He had returned clean tests during the build-up to the fight with Haney, 25, but Ostarine was found in samples taken from fight week.
Garcia accepted the suspension, but attributed the positive tests to a contaminated supplement.
Ostarine is known to increase muscle gain and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Garcia also had more problems outside the ring after being arrested in Los Angeles for vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel.
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He was also expelled from the WBC following a series of vile racist social media posts against disparaged black people and Muslims.
After Garcia was detained following his hotel arrest, his lawyer Darin T Chavez attributed it to the troubled boxer dealing with his mother’s cancer diagnosis.
She said in a statement: “Ryan has been open about his struggles with mental health over the years, and at this time, he is dealing with an immense emotional toll.
“The support and understanding of fans and the public are crucial as he faces these personal challenges. We are working diligently to provide Ryan with the resources he needs.
“Our team is committed to ensuring he receives the appropriate help and care to look after his immediate and long-term well-being.
“We ask for continued support and compassion as Ryan focuses on his family and health at this time.”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao retired in 2021 but teased a return to fight for the WBC welterweight title.
But after fighting all three rounds against 28-year-old Anpo, fans called for him to hang up his gloves for good.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
