Ryan Garcia, once a rising star in the boxing world, has been expelled from the World Boxing Council (WBC). The announcement, made by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman on Thursday via X, cited Garcia’s troubling social media behavior, which included repeated use of racial slurs and derogatory remarks about George Floyd, whose tragic death in 2020 sparked global protests against racial injustice.
“Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” Sulaiman stated. “We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for (Garcia’s) well-being.”
The decision comes as a significant blow to Garcia, whose career has been marred by a series of controversies. A publicist for Garcia and a representative from Golden Boy Promotions, the company that manages him, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the WBC’s decision.
Garcia’s expulsion from the WBC is not the only setback he faces. He is also serving a year-long suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission after testing positive for a banned substance prior to his April fight against Devin Haney. Although Garcia emerged victorious in that fight, winning by majority decision after scoring three knockdowns, his victory was later overturned and recorded as a “no contest.”
Ryan Garcia celebrates after defeating Devin Haney in their WBC Super Lightweight title bout.
©Al Bello, Getty Images
Concerns about Garcia’s mental fitness had already been mounting before his bout with Haney, following a series of erratic online behaviors. These latest incidents have only amplified those concerns. Sulaiman noted that Garcia had “declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.”
Adding to Garcia’s troubles, he was arrested last month at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills for felony vandalism. According to the Beverly Hills Police Department, Garcia caused over $15,000 in damages to a guest room and the hallway of the hotel.
The combination of Garcia’s controversial social media posts, substance abuse issues, and recent legal troubles has cast a shadow over his once-promising career. As the boxing world watches closely, the future of Ryan Garcia remains uncertain, with his latest expulsion from the WBC serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions.
