Boxing sensation Ryan Garcia issued a public apology on Friday for his use of racial slurs against Black individuals and derogatory remarks about Muslims during a recent livestream on social media. In a series of posts, Garcia took full responsibility for his words and expressed regret for any offense caused.
Garcia acknowledged being 'misunderstood' and revealed struggles with substance abuse, announcing his decision to seek rehabilitation. The apology followed World Boxing Council's expulsion of Garcia in response to his conduct during the livestream, with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman emphasizing the organization's stance against discrimination.
Oscar De La Hoya, Garcia's promoter, condemned the boxer's behavior in a strongly worded statement, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for hate or intolerance within his company. De La Hoya expressed hope that Garcia would utilize his time away from the sport to address the issues he has publicly disclosed.
Notably, Garcia is currently serving a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission due to a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine. This suspension, retroactive to Garcia's decision victory over Devin Haney, has since been overturned to a no-contest.
Despite denying intentional use of performance-enhancing drugs, Garcia faced legal trouble in June following an arrest on felony vandalism charges related to an incident at a Beverly Hills hotel. The boxer's family also released a statement addressing his recent behavior and social media comments, asserting that these actions do not align with his true character or upbringing.
The family emphasized their support for Garcia's mental health struggles and commitment to ensuring he receives necessary assistance for his well-being. The ongoing challenges faced by Garcia underscore the importance of addressing mental health issues and seeking appropriate support.
