FILE – Super lightweight boxer Ryan Garcia speaks during a news conference at the MGM Grand hotel-casino Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. He was expelled by the WBC on Thursday after he repeatedly used racial slurs against Black people and disparaged Muslims in comments livestreamed on social media. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, File)
Ryan Garcia was expelled by the World Boxing Council on Thursday after he repeatedly used racial slurs against Black people and disparaged Muslims in comments livestreamed on social media.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the penalty against Garcia on the social media platform X.
“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.”
READ: Ryan Garcia suspended for a year; win over Haney ruled no-contest
Garcia posted an apology of sorts on X.
“I was trolling I want all the killing to stop,” Garcia wrote. “I love everyone sorry if I offended you.”
An attorney representing Garcia did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Last month, Garcia was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission, which also ruled that his April 20 victory over Devin Haney would be considered a no-contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
He was also arrested on felony vandalism charges last month for reportedly causing around $15,000 worth of damage at a hotel in Beverly Hills.
The boxer also mocked George Floyd, the African-American man murdered by police in Minneapolis in 2020 whose death sparked worldwide protests. –With reports from Agence France-Presse