Garcia will attend the RIZIN 3 event

Ryan Garcia

Ryan Garcia

AManny Pacquiao gears up for his exhibition match against former K-1 champion Rukiya Anpo in Saitama, Japan, an unexpected twist has grabbed boxing fans’ attention.

Ryan Garcia, who had announced his plans to attend the RIZIN 3 event, has arrived in Japan and immediately set social media abuzz by sharing a face-off photo with Pacquiao.

“To all my Japanese fans in Tokyo, I’M ON MY WAY! I’m headed to Super Rizin 3,” he noted.

The 45-year-old Pacquiao has previously expressed interest in facing younger fighters, including Garcia.

However, Garcia‘s involvement was surprising given his current one-year suspension from boxing due to a positive test for banned substances following his bout with Devin Haney.

Despite this, Garcia took the opportunity to stir excitement and curiosity among fans by posting the face-off picture.

Today, he posted a photo on X and Instagram showing him face-to-face with Pacquiao, sparking speculation and excitement about what the future might hold for both fighters.

“It’s on like Donkey Kong @mannypacquiao[.] I love you and respect you But a battle is a battle,” he wrote.

Fan reaction to Garcia’s post

Garcia had hinted at his trip to Japan a few days earlier on Instagram and he followed through by arriving on July 25, but fans believe that Pacquiao could be him easily.

“You don’t want to go down this road Garcia , you may not come out alive,” a user wrote on X.

Another added: “Why do I feel like Many will win this.”