Fanmio Sues Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Over Canceled Exhibition Bout in Japan

In a dramatic turn of events, streaming platform Fanmio has filed a lawsuit against boxing star Ryan Garcia and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, over the cancellation of a highly anticipated exhibition bout in Japan. The fight, which was scheduled to take place on December 31, 2024, against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, was abruptly called off, leading to significant financial losses for Fanmio. This legal action highlights the complex and often contentious world of boxing promotions, where contractual obligations and financial interests can lead to bitter disputes.

Fanmio has filed a lawsuit against Boxer Ryan Garcia

The lawsuit states Garcia received payment Fanmio was deceived into promoting an event that Garcia had no intentions of competing in

Fanmio also claims that Golden Boy Promotions (Garcia’s promotors) worked to sabotage the… pic.twitter.com/1CWXMnMgQN

— Jason Hagholm (@JHagholm1) March 14, 2025

Ryan Garcia, known for his explosive performances in the ring, has been at the center of several controversies in recent years. His tumultuous relationship with Golden Boy Promotions, led by Oscar De La Hoya, has been well-documented. Despite a recent reconciliation, Garcia’s career continues to be marred by legal battles and promotional disputes. The current lawsuit by Fanmio alleges that Golden Boy improperly interfered with the exhibition bout, using its contractual influence over Garcia to prevent the fight from happening. Fanmio claims to have incurred over $1 million in expenses promoting the event and is seeking unspecified damages for breach of contract and other claims.

The Background and Implications of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by Fanmio against Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions is rooted in the alleged breach of contract and interference that led to the cancellation of the exhibition bout. According to Fanmio, Golden Boy demanded a substantial sum for the fight to proceed, which Fanmio refused to pay. This led to Garcia citing a wrist injury as the reason for his withdrawal, a move that Fanmio believes was orchestrated by Golden Boy to sabotage the event.

The implications of this lawsuit are significant for all parties involved. For Fanmio, the financial losses are substantial, with potential profits exceeding $10 million had the fight taken place. The company’s reputation as a reliable streaming platform for combat sports events is also at stake. For Ryan Garcia, this legal battle adds to his existing challenges, including a year-long suspension in the U.S. due to a positive test for a banned substance. His upcoming fight against Rolando Romero on May 2 remains unaffected by the lawsuit, but the legal proceedings could impact his future career decisions.

Golden Boy Promotions, meanwhile, faces scrutiny over its handling of Garcia’s career and its role in the cancellation of the exhibition bout. The company’s influence over Garcia’s fights has been a point of contention, with allegations that it prioritizes its own interests over those of its fighters. This lawsuit could lead to further examination of promotional practices in boxing and the power dynamics between fighters, promoters, and streaming platforms.

The dispute between Fanmio, Ryan Garcia, and Golden Boy Promotions highlights the complexities and challenges inherent in the world of professional boxing. As the sport continues to evolve, with new streaming platforms and promotional companies emerging, the potential for legal conflicts increases. The ability of promoters like Golden Boy to exert control over fighters’ careers can lead to tensions and disputes, especially when significant financial interests are involved.

Navigating these legal challenges while maintaining a successful boxing career will be crucial for Ryan Garcia. His reconciliation with Oscar De La Hoya earlier this year was seen as a positive step, but the ongoing lawsuit with Fanmio indicates that Garcia’s career is still fraught with legal and promotional hurdles.

Fanmio’s lawsuit against Ryan Garcia and Golden Boy Promotions reminds us of the intricate and often contentious nature of boxing promotions. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, finding a balance between fighters’, promoters’, and streaming platforms’ interests will be essential to ensuring that boxing remains a vibrant and competitive sport.