Boxing star Ryan Garcia apologized on Friday for using racist language against Black people and making derogatory comments about Muslims during a recent live social media stream.
“I take full responsibility for my words,” Garcia said in her X post. “I apologize to anyone who was offended.”
Garcia also said he is “misunderstood,” struggles with substance abuse and is “in rehab.”
His apology came a day after World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman announced that the governing body would ban Garcia for his controversial behavior during a live broadcast.
“We reject any discrimination,” Sulaiman wrote. “Ryan has repeatedly refused our help with his mental health and substance abuse and we are concerned about his well-being.”
Garcia's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, condemned Garcia's actions in a strongly worded statement released on Friday at X.
“There is no room for hate or intolerance in our company. That's all. I condemn Ryan's comments in the strongest possible terms,” De La Hoya wrote. “He has apologized, and that's a start, but it's only the beginning of regaining the trust and respect of those of us who have and will continue to support him. We hope that Ryan will use his time away from the sport to resolve the issues he has publicly discussed, and we stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
“There is no room for hate or intolerance in my company. That's all. I condemn Ryan's comments in the strongest possible terms. I understand that he has apologized. It's a start. But it's only the beginning in regaining the trust and respect of those who have supported us and continue to support us…
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) July 5, 2024
Garcia is currently serving a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine. The suspension is retroactive to Garcia's April 20 decision win over Devin Haney, which was subsequently declared a no contest.
Garcia has vehemently denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs. Two supplements listed on Garcia's doping test forms submitted during urine samples taken on April 19 and 20 tested positive for banned substances.
Garcia, 25, was also arrested in June on a felony count of criminal damage to property stemming from an incident at a Beverly Hills hotel where he allegedly caused an estimated $15,000 in damages.
Garcia's family said his recent problematic behavior and social media comments “are not consistent with his true character or beliefs, or those of our family.”
“Our family unequivocally does not support any of the statements made. [Garcia] “The comments Ryan has made regarding race and religion are not reflective of who he really is or how he was raised,” the family's statement read. “Anyone who knows Ryan can attest to this fact. Ryan has been open about his struggles with mental health issues for many years, and our family is committed to supporting him and ensuring he receives the help he needs to get through this extremely difficult time and address his short- and long-term health conditions.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
