Boxer Ryan Garcia Expelled by WBC After Use of Racial Slurs on Social Media

Former interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia has been expelled by the WBC for making racist comments about Black and Muslim people on a social media livestream.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announced the expulsion from any activity with the organization on Thursday, saying he fears for Garcia's "well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse."

In a since-deleted post on X (h/t the Associated Press), Garcia attempted to issue an apology: "I was trolling I want all the killing to stop. I love everyone sorry if I offended you."

Garcia's family issued a statement on the boxer's comments after Sulaiman announced the expulsion (via ESPN.com):

"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. 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."

Garcia's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, also condemned the boxer's comments "in the strongest terms possible" in a post on social media.

"There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company. Period," De La Hoya wrote. "I condemn Ryan's words in the strongest terms possible. I see that he has apologized, and that is a start — but it is only a start to earn back the trust and respect of those of us who have and continue to support him. 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 we can."

Garcia's expulsion from the WBC comes less than a month after he was arrested in Beverly Hills on June 8 after a hotel accused him of causing an estimated $15,000 in damages.

Garcia was suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission on June 20 after he tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine as part of testing leading up to his bout with Devin Haney. The suspension is retroactive to the date of the fight on April 20.

During a 15-month hiatus from boxing between January 2021 and April 2022, Garcia spoke about his struggles with mental health, depression and suicidal thoughts. He had been scheduled to fight Javier Fortuna in July 2021 but withdrew to address his health and well-being.