Ryan Garcia, suspended for a year, kicked out of WBC after hate comments

Ryan Garcia’s boxing career is in purgatory. (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello via Getty Images)

Ryan Garcia further undermined his standing in the boxing world on Thursday by posting a series of hate-filled comments that led to his expulsion from the World Boxing Council, one of the sport’s top sanctioning organizations.

The suspended boxer has been posting a slew of absurd comments for weeks, but has come under renewed criticism for, among other things, using slurs, saying he hates black people and that he would like to kill George Floyd again while giggling with friends at Field X:

“I hate niggas, I’m anti-black… Niggas, I’m the KKK, I hate niggas… Hey, let’s go bring George Floyd back to life and kill that nigga again.”

That, too, was not even close to the scope of his comments. He later ruled out any thought of an apology.

Just hours later, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced he was firing Garcia from his organization. He also noted that Garcia had rejected repeated attempts by the WBC to provide mental health and substance abuse counseling.

Using my authority as President of the WBC, I hereby disqualify Ryan Garcia from all activities within our organization. We reject any form of discrimination. I am concerned for Ryan’s well-being as he has repeatedly rejected our attempts to help with his mental health and substance abuse issues. photo:twitter.com/pCIOH2am7B

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) July 4, 2024

Garcia’s parents later issued a statement distancing themselves from his comments and saying he needs help:

“Our son has recently made statements that are not true to his character or beliefs, nor to the true character of our family. Our family unequivocally does not support any of his statements regarding race or religion—they do not reflect who Ryan is or 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 supporting him to receive the help he needs to navigate this very difficult time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being. We appreciate your continued support, prayers and compassion.”

Garcia is currently serving a one-year suspension that he received after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine following what should have been a stellar win over WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney. That win turned out to be a no-contest, although Garcia’s legal team presented evidence that the positive test was due to a contaminated supplement.

The suspension and expulsion are the latest chapters in Garcia’s very public downfall since the start of 2024. In the span of about six months, Garcia has:

And now the exclusion. It is very clear that Garcia is not feeling well. It is not clear when, or even if, he will return to the ring.