Ryan Garcia will reportedly fight an exhibition bout against Jaber Zayani in Dubai in January, which should be seen as a smart way around his one-year ban. There’s no word on how big of a paycheck Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) will get for this exhibition, but it should be a nice one for him to sign.
The 34-year-old Zayani (18-0, 11 KOs) is a native of France who competes at lightweight. His fights went under the radar of fans.
Ryan finds a way to suspension
We knew Ryan would find a way to maneuver around his one-year suspension handed down by the New York State Athletic Commission. Boxing is a global sport, and there is no way any state commission can stop a popular fighter like Ryan from getting steady work to continue bringing in millions by the truckload. He is too popular.
As this is an exhibition, the Commissions are powerless to intervene. It does not count on Ryan’s record, and it is performed outside the US in Dubai. Devin Haney can’t be too happy about the news of Ryan Garcia’s exhibition match as he is suing him for battery for their fight last April.
Last weekend, Ryan’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, told the media there would be NO rematch with Haney. They want a fight with Teofimo Lopez after his suspension expires on April 20. If this is a permanent rejection of a rematch with Haney, that’s bad luck for him and Bill. You have to believe the lawsuit had something to do with Ryan’s stance on not giving Devin a second fight.
With the dough the Haneys could have made in a rematch with Ryan, they could go to the Platinum Triangle in Los Angeles and bought a beautiful mansion in one of these upscale areas:
– Beverly Hills
– Bel Air
– Holmby Hills: *Where Diddy lived
If he was Ryan to beat Haney into the ring and make a good coin, you can imagine what he and his father Bill Haney would be like green with jealousy.
There’s no word yet on when Haney will return to the ring, but based on the photo he posted on Instagram, it could be soon. Haney looks to weigh in around 165, and it won’t be easy for him to drain down to 140 if he chooses to return to that division.
Ryan’s is currently suspended until April 20, 2025. The New York State Athletic Commission handed down the suspension after Ryan’s positive PED test for Ostarine following his win over Haney.
🚨 Ryan Garcia returns! Exhibition match against Undefeated Jaber Zayani (18-0) Set for January 2025 ‼️🔥 #Box #RyanGarcia pic.twitter.com/rVGfiQVlmn
— Ringside Promotions (@Ringsidepromo) November 4, 2024