WBC bans Ryan Garcia for racist slurs against Blacks, Muslims
Already suspended for a year for PED use, he made series of disturbing posts and comments; parents beg him to get help
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
Ryan Garcia, who is already suspended from boxing for one year for doping, facing felony vandalism charges in California and has a drinking problem, hit a new low on Thursday when he posted a series of racist slurs against Blacks and Muslims on social media and spoke about it on a livestream, including liberal use of the n-word and ranting about George Floyd.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman was so disgusted with Garcia’s posts and comments he announced on social media that he has banned him from the sanctioning organization that he has been close to and once held its lightweight interim title.
“Exercising my authority as president of the WBC , I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” Sulaiman posted. “We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan’s well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment. May God guide him and help him.”
I am in my 25th year of full-time boxing coverage. Take advantage of that experience by upgrading to a paid subscription for full access to all posts and comments — and also support independent journalism.
Garcia’s activity was so concerning that his parents, Henry and Lisa Garcia, also issued a statement condemning their son’s actions but also asking him to get help that they have so far been unable to convince him that he needs.
“Our son has recently made statements that do not align with his, or our family’s true character or beliefs,” they said in the statement. “Our family unequivocally does not support any statements he has made regarding race or religion — these do not reflect who Ryan truly is and 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 encouraging that he receives the necessary help to navigate this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being. We appreciate the continued support, prayers and compassion.”
Garcia, who recently fired his longtime lawyer/adviser Guadalupe Valencia, ignited the firestorm by writing “Fuck all n------ and Fuck all Muslims,” in a since-deleted post.
He also made various racist comments during a Thursday afternoon X Spaces livestream in which he used the n-word multiple times, compared himself to the Ku Klux Klan and disparaged Floyd, a Black man, whose May 2020 murder by white police officers on a Minneapolis street was recorded by a bystander and played for the world. The killing caused national protests and the officers involved were tried, found guilty and sent to prison.
“I hate n------, I’m anti-black, I’m the KKK. Hey, let’s go bring George Floyd back to life and go kill that n----- again,” Garcia said during the livestream.
It is the latest incident in Garcia’s very public downward spiral.
Two weeks ago, the New York State Athletic Commission suspended Garcia for one year and the fighter forfeited his $1.1 million official contract purse from his April 20 fight in Brooklyn, New York, against Devin Haney as punishment for failing a pair of random Voluntary Anti-Doping Association urine tests for the banned performance-enhancing drug Ostarine.
Garcia, 25, of Los Angeles, who bragged about getting drunk and partying during training camp and missed weight by 3.2 pounds — which made him ineligible to win Haney’s WBC junior welterweight title — also was fined the maximum $10,000 by the New York commission and had his majority decision win erased when the commission changed the result of the fight to a no contest.
The suspension, which was backdated to the date of the bout, makes Garcia ineligible to be licensed to participate in combat sports anywhere in the United States until at least April 20, 2025. He would have to re-apply for a license in New York and submit a clean drug test.
Also, on June 8, an apparently intoxicated Garcia, who has publicly discussed his mental health issues in the past, was arrested for felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, California, after the hotel accused him of causing around $15,000 in damage to his room and a hallway. In California, damage of more than $400 is classified as a felony.
A note to subscribers
I sincerely appreciate your readership. If you’re reading, it means you love boxing just like I do. If you’ve been reading you also know the quality and quantity of what I produce. It’s one-stop shopping. Read the newsletters and there is no need to search multiple websites or click a multitude of links to get the latest news, opinion and detailed fight schedule. Everything you need is in one spot and delivered directly to your inbox (or via phone alert if you download for free the superb Substack app). You don’t have to hunt for the news; it comes to you.
I believe that is worth something, so while I will continue providing stories, notes and the schedule for free, I encourage you to upgrade to a paid subscription for the most content. A paid subscription is your way of keeping this reader-supported newsletter going and supporting independent journalism. I am beholden to no network, promoter, manager, sanctioning body or fighter. If you have read my work at all during the past 24 years I’ve covered professional boxing you know that I keep it real and that will not change.
To upgrade your subscription please go here:
Thank you so much for your support of Fight Freaks Unite!
Garcia photo: Ryan Hafey/PBC
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danrafael1/
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanRafael1
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanRafaelBoxing
I truly hope he gets help. Great article Dan! Happy to be a new subscriber!
Dan is a true journalist. He doesn’t write about his personal beliefs but instead news and info on upcoming shows, fighters and yes, at times, drama. True journalists do exactly that. There are only a handful left, if that. I applaud his character. He avoids negative noise which is difficult in this internet world. You won’t see me comment too often as I’m a reader and listener although I’m an author and have spent 50+ years in professional boxing in every category you can mention. I hope all of you follow Dan. He’s needed in the sport. Remember, you don’t have to like him…… but you shoukd respect his views from his pen (or today his keyboard). Keep punching. 🥊