RYAN GARCIA is in talks to fight Manny Pacquiao in an exhibition in Japan – despite serving a drugs ban.
Garcia initially beat American rival Devin Haney in April by scoring three knockdowns in New York.
But the result has since been overturned to a no-contest after the controversial star tested positive for banned substance Ostarine.
Garcia was hit with a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission – backdated from April.
But still he is talking up a return to the ring before his ban expires.
Boxing icon Pacquiao faced kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo over three rounds in Tokyo – with Garcia there to watch it.
It went the distance with no winner declared and Garcia stormed into the ring post-fight to gatecrash the interview and call out Pacquiao and Anpo.
And SunSport understands MMA promotion Rizin – who welcomed PacMan back to the ring – held talks with Garcia.
And an exhibition with Pacquiao was discussed – with the pair both keen and on board.
That is despite Garcia being eight months away from his NYSAC suspension being lifted.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
But Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara is not concerned about NYSAC standing in the way of Garcia returning in a non-sanctioned exhibition.
Sakakibara told SunSport: “I don’t think they will. Because if it were to happen it would be an unofficial fight.
“If this unofficial fight were to happen in Rizin, in Japan, I believe there will be no reason for the New York State Athletic Commission to try to stop Ryan.”
Rizin have twice hosted exhibition bouts for Floyd Mayweather, 47, and most recently Pacquiao, 45.
Garcia, 25, protested his innocence after testing positive for banned substance Ostarine.
He had returned clean tests during the build up to the bout with Haney, 25, but Ostarine was found in samples taken from fight week.
Garcia accepted his suspension but blamed the positive tests on a tainted supplement.
Ostarine is known to increase muscle gain and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Garcia has also ran into further trouble out the ring after being arrested in Los Angeles for felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel.
He was also expelled from the WBC following a series of vile racists social media posts against Black people and disparaged Muslims.
After Garcia was held following his hotel arrest, his lawyer Darin T Chavez put it down to the troubled boxer dealing his 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 burden.
“The support and understanding from fans and the public are crucial as he navigates these personal challenges. We are working diligently to provide Ryan with the resources he needs.
“Our team is committed to ensuring that he receives the appropriate help and care to address both his immediate and long-term well-being.
“We ask for continued support and compassion as Ryan focuses on his family and his health at this time.”
