Ryan Garcia is currently serving a one-year ban from the sport of boxing following on from his controversial showdown against Devin Haney earlier this year. However, despite his suspension being in place until April, ‘King Ry’ appears to have announced a fight that will take place in January.
Famed for his lightning-fast hand speed and trademark left-hook, Garcia has become one of the most well-known fighters on the planet over recent years, regardless of the fact that he is yet to win a world title.
However, the 26-year-old had the opportunity to claim world honours when he met Haney back in April, until he missed weight by three pounds, forgoing any chance to win the belt and being forced to pay the WBC super-lightweight champion for the privilege.
On fight night, Garcia proved that he was world champion material, knocking Haney down for the first, second and third time of his career on his way to a career-best majority-decision win – although his glory was temporary.
Shortly after Garcia’s upset win, it was discovered that the Californian had tested positive for Ostarine on both the day of the weigh-in and on the day of the fight, eventually resulting in the win being overturned to a no-contest and Garcia being handed a one-year ban from professional boxing.
Yet, it appears as though that hasn’t stopped Garcia’s ring return, as he took to social media to announce a boxing event in Dubai that will take place in January and involve undefeated French lightweight Jaber Zayani (18-0).
View this post on Instagram
“Coming to Dubai in January!
“Big event
“@jaberzayaniofficial”
Although unknown to the masses, Zayani was a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao for the Filipino’s clash with Keith Thurman in 2019 and was heavily linked to an exhibition in Saudi Arabia against ‘Pac-Man’ in 2022.
As for Garcia, the outing could act as an opportunity to shake off any possible ring rust before his professional comeback three months later, as he is linked to a monumental rematch with Devin Haney for his proposed April return, as well as a possible encounter against WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
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