Ryan Garcia issued apologies via social media on Friday after using racial slurs against Black individuals and making derogatory comments about Muslims during livestreamed remarks.
The 25-year-old Garcia, who was ousted from the World Boxing Council on Thursday due to his comments, also declared on the social media platform X that he was entering rehabilitation.
“I accept full responsibility for my words,” Garcia stated in one post. “It’s been a challenging few months as everyone can see, but I AM SORRY.”
Garcia added: “I battle with substance abuse and it’s difficult for me with everything happening.”
Last month, Garcia received a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission, which also deemed his April 20 win over Devin Haney a no-contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing substances.
Following his apology, Garcia made several more posts. Among his remarks: “I maintain that a black person can be racist” and “In rough neighbourhoods, everyone has used the N word.”
Garcia also grumbled that other boxers had made racist statements without facing discipline from the WBC.
