Boxer Ryan Garcia is threatening to sue the New York State Athletic Commission for asking him to undergo a mental health evaluation ahead of his April 20 super lightweight championship fight with Devin Haney in Brooklyn.
Garcia made his claim in a viral video on social media after weeks of disturbing behavior online.
“I can’t wait for them to actually take me to court because I will literally beat them,” Garcia said in the self-shot video.
Garcia appears irritated in the footage and walks around a room while talking to the camera. Earlier Friday, he posted a video of himself crying about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza before both his X and Instagram accounts were deactivated. However, these pages have now been reactivated.
Somehow, Garcia’s promoter and Golden Boy founder Oscar De La Hoya insists his fighter is in “good spirits” despite Garcia’s inexplicable behavior, which has included everything from sexual abuse allegations to his claim that billionaire Elon Musk is the Antichrist is. Garcia even threatened to bite Haney’s ears on April 20, in a nod to Mike Tyson’s infamous 1997 fight with Evander Holyfield.
Ryan Garcia’s latest homemade video shows the 25-year-old walking around an apartment
Oscar De La Hoya insists Ryan Garcia will be ready to fight Devin Haney on April 20
Garcia has his work cut out for him against super lightweight champion Devin Haney (left)
“Ryan Garcia, I just talked to him,” Garcia told DAZN on Saturday during the William Zepeda-Maxi Hughes fight card. ‘He’s in good spirits. He works hard in the gym. Don’t pay attention to the messages – that takes five to ten seconds of his time. He works hard every minute of the day.”
Matthew Delaglio, director of the New York State Athletic Commission declined comment to ESPNbut the network did receive a statement from Golden Boy spokesperson Stefan Friedman.
“As is the case with all Golden Boy fights, we are in close contact with the commission and sanctioning bodies and will of course follow all rules and regulations to ensure our fighters are ready on fight night,” Friedman told ESPN.
Meanwhile, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has said he will remain in contact with the commission regarding Garcia’s conduct.
Of course, Garcia’s latest video won’t support his claim that he’s mentally fit to face Haney on April 20 in Brooklyn.
“I’m going to sue the NYC Commission,” Garcia can be heard saying in the viral clip. “And I say this, why?
“They’re trying to challenge me for a mental evaluation. I said, ‘What are your premises (sic) for the mental evaluation?’
Garcia was so angry about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that he posted a video of himself crying
According to the 25-year-old, the NYSAC was concerned about his “tweets and posts.”
“I said, ‘Isn’t it my American constitutional right to free speech?’ García continued.
“So because I tweet what I tweet, that’s a premise (sic) for a mental evaluation? That’s curious. So now you’re trying to tamper with my constitutional rights. Now I’m going to sue you. I’m actually going to sue you for defamation of character.’
Garcia goes on to discuss his own drug use, claiming that his therapist recommended the use of marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms and even ayahuasca, which he found difficult to pronounce.
“My own therapist told me to smoke weed,” he said. “She told me… maybe you should try it (ayahuasca).”
The video ended with Garcia bizarrely claiming “they’re stopping me from smoking weed” and adding “that should be against the law.”
Of course, this is just the latest from Garcia, who has been scaring fight fans with his antics for weeks.
On March 3, fans became concerned when Garcia’s accounts posted a disturbing clip claiming his death
Garcia’s X and Instagram accounts were deactivated shortly after posting a video on Friday
Concern for Garcia reached a fever pitch on March 3 when a cryptic and disturbing video claiming he was dead after receiving his “throat slit” was posted to his social media accounts.
Over the next 72 hours, Garcia claimed he was raped by a relative at the age of two, had proof that aliens existed, and witnessed the rape of children by “the elites” after they were tied up in Bohemian Grove.
Garcia also claimed that an earthquake would “destroy” Hollywood and Las Vegas, while calling Musk the “Antichrist.”
On Wednesday, Garcia revealed he is looking for a girlfriend as he posted a topless photo to his Instagram Story. The post came after he announced his relationship with influencer Mikaela Testa in February following his divorce from Andrea Celina.