Ryan Garcia apologizes for racist slurs and boxer says he will go to rehab
Ryan Garcia apologized in a series of social media posts on Friday after using racial slurs against black people and disparaging Muslims in livestream comments.
The 25-year-old, who was disbarred by the World Boxing Council on Thursday for his comments, also said on X that he plans to enter rehab.
“I take full responsibility for my words,” Garcia wrote in a message. “And it’s been a rough few months as everyone can see, but I’m sorry.”
Garcia added: “I struggle with substance abuse and it’s hard for me with everything going on.”
His apology was undermined by posts he made later. Among his comments: “I stand by the fact that a black man can be racist” and “In the hood, everyone used the N-word.”
Garcia also complained that other fighters had made racist statements without being disciplined by the WBC
Last month, Garcia was suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission. The commission also ruled that his April 20 win over Devin Haney would be thrown out of the competition because he tested positive for doping.
In the lead-up to the fight with Haney, concerns were raised about Garcia’s erratic behavior, both in person and on social media, which degenerated into a disturbing blur of conspiracy theories and clear cries for help. He later denied having any problems. “Come on, guys, did you really think I was crazy?” Garcia said after the fight with Haney.
In June, Garcia was arrested after reportedly made $15,000 in Beverly Hills hotelThe boxer’s lawyer said after the arrest that it has been “an extremely challenging time for Ryan as he grapples with devastating news about his mother’s health.”
On Friday, former world champion Oscar De La Hoya, who now promotes Garcia, condemned the boxer’s behavior in a statement on X.
“There is no room for hate or intolerance in my company. Period. I condemn Ryan’s words in the strongest possible terms,” De La Hoya wrote. “I see he has apologized, and that is a start – but it is only a start in earning back the trust and respect of those of us who have supported and continue to support him. We hope Ryan will use his time away from the sport to address the issues he has publicly discussed. We stand ready to assist in any way we can.”