The World Boxing Council (WBC) has expelled Ryan Garcia following a social media livestream where he repeatedly used racist and discriminatory language against Black people and Muslims, as reported by the Associated Press. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman stated that Garcia has been expelled from any activity with their organization and that they reject any form of discrimination.
Garcia posted an apology on social media, stating that he was trolling and wanted the killing to stop. He expressed love for everyone and apologized if he offended anyone. However, he deleted the post later on. CNN has reached out to Garcia’s representatives for comment but has not received a response yet.
Following his expulsion from the WBC, Garcia’s family released a statement citing the boxer’s mental health issues. They mentioned that they do not support his statements regarding race or religion, stating that it does not reflect who Ryan truly is and how he was raised. The family acknowledged Ryan’s ongoing struggle with mental health and expressed their commitment to ensuring he receives the help he needs during this challenging time.
Sulaiman added in his post that the WBC had offered Garcia assistance with mental health and substance abuse issues multiple times. This incident highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the consequences of using discriminatory language in professional sports.