Boxing star Ryan Garcia apologized Friday for his use of racial slurs in opposition to Black individuals and disparaging feedback he made about Muslims throughout a latest livestream on social media.
“I take all accountability for my phrases,” Garcia wrote in a publish on X. “Sorry everybody that I offended.”
Garcia went on to say that he’s “misunderstood,” is fighting substance abuse and is “going to rehab.”
His apology got here sooner or later after World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman introduced his sanctioning physique was expelling Garcia for his controversial actions throughout the livestream.
“We reject any type of discrimination,” Sulaiman wrote. “I concern for Ryan’s nicely being as he has declined a number of makes an attempt for our assist with psychological well being and substance abuse.”
Oscar De La Hoya, Garcia’s promoter, denounced his fighter’s conduct in a strongly worded assertion issued Friday on X.
“There isn’t a room for hate or intolerance at my firm. Interval. I condemn Ryan’s phrases within the strongest phrases doable,” De La Hoya wrote. “I see that he has apologized, and that may be a begin – however it’s only a begin to earn again the belief and respect of these of us who’ve and proceed to assist him. We hope Ryan will use the time he has away from the game to work via the problems he has publicly mentioned. We stand able to assist in no matter we are able to.”
“There isn’t a room for hate or intolerance at my firm. Interval. I condemn Ryan’s phrases within the strongest phrases doable. I see that he has apologized, and that may be a begin – however it’s only a begin to earn again the belief and respect of these of us who’ve and proceed to assist…
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) July 5, 2024
Garcia is at the moment serving a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Fee after testing optimistic for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine. That suspension is retroactive to Garcia’s April 20 determination victory over Devin Haney, which has since been overturned to a no-contest.
Garcia vehemently denied knowingly utilizing performance-enhancing medicine. Two dietary supplements listed on doping management types, which had been submitted alongside Garcia’s urine-sample collections on April 19 and 20, confirmed the presence of the banned substance.
The 25-year previous Garcia was additionally arrested in June on felony vandalism fees stemming from an incident at a Beverly Hills lodge, which accused him of inflicting an estimated $15,000 in harm.
Garcia’s household addressed his latest troubling conduct in addition to his social media remarks, stating that they “don’t align together with his, or our household’s, true character or beliefs.”
“Our household unequivocally doesn’t assist any statements [Garcia] has made relating to race or faith — these don’t mirror who Ryan really is and the way he was raised,” the household’s assertion learn. “Those that know Ryan can attest to this reality. Ryan has been open about his ongoing battle with psychological well being through the years and as a household we’re dedicated to making sure and inspiring that he receives the required assist to navigate this very difficult time and deal with each his speedy and long-term well-being.”
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.