Mexican American boxer expelled for racist tirade on social media
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Ryan Garcia in action during a media workout at World Class Boxing Gym on April 09, 2024 in Dallas. Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The World Boxing Council has expelled former WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia following his use of racial slurs against Black people and anti-Muslim remarks on social media.
The big picture: The expulsion announced last week comes after Garcia was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.
- Garcia, who boasts more than 10 million followers on Instagram and 5.6 million followers on TikTok, has drawn criticism for spreading right-wing conspiracy theories as his boxing career stalls.
Zoom in: WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the decision against Garcia on X, formerly known as Twitter, after Garcia's post went viral.
- "Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization," Sulaiman wrote.
- "We reject any form of discrimination."
- Sulaiman said the ruling also came after Garcia turned down multiple attempts by the WBC to help him with his mental health and substance abuse.
Context: Garcia repeatedly used racial slurs to describe Black Americans and made disparaging remarks about George Floyd, a Black man murdered in 2020 when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
- He also used profanity to describe Muslims and said he was the "KKK."
- Garcia later apologized on X and claimed he was "trolling."
- "I love everyone sorry if I offended you," he wrote in a now-deleted post.
Flashback: The 25-year-old boxer was born in Victorville, California, to a Mexican American family and often waves both American and Mexican flags in the ring.
- He is 24-1 with one no contest after his April 20 victory over Devin Haney was thrown out because of a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.
What they're saying: Oscar De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Garcia, told USA Today and ESPN in a statement: "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," De La Hoya said.
- The Garcia family statement said to ESPN: "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."
- The family said Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years.
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