Ryan Garcia Expelled by WBC President Sulaiman After Social Media Comments
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Boxing star Ryan Garcia finds himself further isolated from the sport after the World Boxing Council (WBC) expelled him from any involvement with the organization. This harsh penalty comes on the heels of Garcia’s offensive and hateful social media rants, where he repeatedly used racial slurs against Black people and made disparaging remarks about Muslims.
The news was delivered via social media by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, who made a strong statement against discrimination. “We reject any form of discrimination,” Sulaiman wrote. His message went beyond just the expulsion, expressing concern for Garcia’s well-being. “I fear for Ryan’s well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse,” Sulaiman revealed.
This expulsion adds another layer of complication to Garcia’s already troubled career. He is currently serving a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission stemming from a positive test for ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug. The suspension is retroactive, meaning his April 20 victory over Devin Haney has been overturned to a no-contest.
The combination of the drug test violation, the social media controversy, and now the WBC expulsion paints a bleak picture for Garcia’s future in professional boxing. While it’s unclear what other sanctions he might face, the path to redemption seems long and arduous.
In an attempt to quell the firestorm he ignited, Garcia took to social media with a half-hearted apology. "I was trolling I want all the killing to stop," Garcia wrote. "I love everyone sorry if I offended you." This weak attempt at damage control fell flat, failing to address the severity of his remarks or demonstrate genuine remorse.
Oscar De La Hoya, the boxing promoter who represents Garcia, swiftly distanced himself from his fighter’s actions. In a strong social media statement, De La Hoya declared,
“There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company Period. I condemn Ryan’s words in the strongest terms possible.” While acknowledging Garcia’s apology, De La Hoya made it clear that this was just the first step in a long road to regaining trust. “It is only a start to earn back the trust and respect of those of us who have and continue to support him,” De La Hoya wrote. He offered conditional support, stating, “We hope Ryan will use the time he has away from the sport to work through the issues he has publicly discussed. We stand ready to help in whatever way we can.”
This recent controversy is just one chapter in a tumultuous year for Garcia. The 25-year-old boxer was arrested on felony vandalism charges last month after a Beverly Hills hotel accused him of causing significant damage. The estimated cost of repairs? A staggering $15,000.
In the wake of the WBC’s expulsion, Garcia’s family released a statement attempting to address his concerning behavior and social media tirade. They claimed his actions “do not align with his, or our family’s, true character or beliefs.” The statement went on to say, “Our family unequivocally does not support any statements [Garcia] has made regarding race or religion — these do not reflect who Ryan truly is and how he was raised.
Those who know Ryan can attest to this fact.” They finally acknowledged Garcia’s mental health struggles, stating, “Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years and as a family we are committed to ensuring and encouraging that he receives the necessary help to navigate this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being.” Whether these claims hold weight or are simply an attempt to salvage Garcia’s reputation remains to be seen.