Ryan Garcia’s eight-round exhibition match against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo is back at this event promoted by RIZIN and FANMIO on December 30 in Tokyo, Japan. There is real potential for a showdown in this match, with Anpo defeating the highly rated Garcia.
The Garcia vs. Anpo event will be shown on December 30 at 9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT.
On the undercard, Curmel Moton (6-0, 5 KOs) defeats Albert Pagara (35-1, 24 KOs) in eight rounds at light welterweight. Moton is seen as a future star in the sport.
The threat of Anpo
Garcia’s marketing could take a big hit in this fight if he looks bad or loses to Anpo. While this is an exhibition, Ryan’s value could be lost if he is knocked out or fights this rookie fighter.
Ryan-Anpo is a classic boxer vs kickboxer match that makes it interesting and difficult to predict an outcome.
Anpo has speed, size and power that Garcia hasn’t seen since his loss to Gervonta Davis in 2023, and he may not be able to handle that type of fight after his two games against Devin Haney and Oscar Duarte. The 29-year-old Anpo has more pop in his punches than Haney, and could surprise Ryan if he’s not 100% ready for this type of fight.
Anpo completely dominated the 45-year-old Manny Pacquiao earlier this year in their three-round exhibition match on July 28 in Tokyo. It was a bad sight for former eight-division world champion Pacquiao to be hammered by Anpo because he looked at one point like he could be knocked out of the ring.
Ring Rust Factor
Ryan will have some rust. He has been on an eight-month layoff since his fight against Devin Haney on April 20. Kingry may see this exhibition match as just an easy payday, but Anpo is taking this match seriously and wants to impress his fans in Japan. He will have the home country advantage over Ryan.
B-side? Or Trap?
“It sucks that he’s B-side and not the No. 1 guy. I feel for him. He’s fighting one of the top superstars in the world. I’m doing what I want. He’s got to sit back and relax and enjoy the ride “said Ryan Garcia during the Tokyo press conference this week, letting Anpo know that he is “The Opponent” and NOT the star in this fight.
“Get back and enjoy the ride. Shut up. You’re going to stay where you are, shut up and do what I say. That’s it,” Ryan said, cutting off when Anpo tried to speak.
