Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia is set to return to Dubai in 2025

Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia has announced his return to the ring in January, where he will face Jaber Zayani in a friendly match in Dubai.

The promotional cover for the fight reads: “Ryan Garcia will present a musical performance and a boxing match with Jaber Zayani.” The image includes a stylized drawing of Garcia against the Dubai skyline. Zayani responded to the post on social media, seemingly confirming that the fight had indeed started.

Garcia, who has a professional record of 23-1 (19 KOs), announced on his Instagram account that he will fight Jaber Zayani of France in this upcoming match. Garcia is technically suspended from official boxing due to a failed PED test following his win over Devon Haney in May.

Garcia has repeatedly protested his innocence after the test failure robbed him of perhaps the greatest victory of his career. He stated that the Ashwagandha supplement caused the test to fail. The New York State Athletic Commission banned him from the sport for a year due to a failed test.

However, since this is an exhibition match, there are no legal restrictions preventing Garcia from participating.

Jaber Zayani, who has a record of 18-0 with 11 knockouts, is a 34-year-old lightweight and former sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao has been rumored to face Zayani in an exhibition fight in 2022, which will reportedly be fought with 8-ounce gloves.

Garcia previously attempted to face Manny Pacquiao, but to date the Filipino senator has refused to step into the ring with the “Victorville Bomber.”

Earlier this year, Garcia filmed a music video in Dubai, performing alongside an orangutan in a luxury car. The video has not yet been published. His January exhibition will also include a musical component, according to his social media post. The multimedia event appears to be part of Garcia’s strategy to expand his global appeal, particularly in the Middle East market where boxing and entertainment crossovers are gaining popularity. Garcia was also in the Middle East in May, where he attended the undisputed heavyweight bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh.

Garcia’s suspension from official boxing will end in April. It remains unclear whether he will seek a rematch with Devin Haney, challenge Teofimo Lopez or take part in a practice fight after that.