Ryan Garcia expelled by WBC for using discriminatory slurs on social media
The WBC has expelled Ryan Garcia from any activity with the organisation and condemned any form of discrimination; WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman: "We reject any form of discrimination"
Friday 5 July 2024 20:13, UK
Ryan Garcia has been banned by the WBC for repeatedly using discriminatory slurs in comments livestreamed on social media.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the sanctioning body, announced the penalty against Garcia on the social media platform X.
"Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organisation," Sulaiman posted.
"We reject any form of discrimination."
Garcia later posted on X: "I was trolling I want all the killing to stop. I love everyone, sorry if I offended you."
He later released another statement on Instagram in which he apologised, while also trying to defend his actions.
Garcia's promoter Oscar De La Hoya told Sky Sports: "There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company. Period. 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."
Last month, the result of Garcia's shock upset victory over Devin Haney in April was changed to a no contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
The New York State Athletic Commission also suspended Garcia for a year and said he would have to forfeit £790,000 ($1m) he made on the fight and pay a $10,000 fine.
Garcia's attorneys claimed in a statement that he had been "a victim of substance contamination" and that the boxer has repeatedly passed drug tests, even when not in training for a fight.
