Ryan Garcia says he’s going to rehab after racially charged rant, WBC ban
Boxer Ryan Garcia has apologized for a rant on social media that included racial epithets and has said he is going to rehab.
In Instagram spaces audio that went viral earlier this week, Garcia said the n-word and invoked the KKK and George Floyd.
Afterward, the WBC said that Garcia was “expelled” from the boxing promotion’s activities, though it is unclear exactly what that entails as Garcia was previously suspended for a year in June after testing positive for PEDs following his fight against Devin Haney.
Garcia, 25, issued an apology in an Instagram post on Friday.
“I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone said that word that now I’m abolishing from my vocabulary,” Garcia wrote.
“I’ve supported many black men and black communities. I’m not mad at the outrage and I sincerely apologize if I hurt and offended anyone. But my pain deserves to be felt, black and brown have always united. And it will always be that way.
“I’m just a shade lighter then you, but I love you and I love black children to the point I’d d** for a black child. I was actually speaking against black on black crime. [Again] I’m Sorry.”
In a comment on the post, Garcia said that he is heading to rehab.
From the outside, Garcia’s behavior in recent months has appeared to be erratic.
But after he defeated Haney (and before the positive PED test was revealed) it seemed possible that he had been playing possum and putting on an act to sell the fight and make his opponent let his guard down.
In his Instagram post, Garcia also included a statement insisting he is not racist and saying he got taken out of context.
“Let me get this straight I’ve actually supported black communities,” Garcia wrote.
“Have taken racism from Tim Bradley calling me a zoo animal on ESPN. And turn the other cheek but I’m racist [because] everyone was just drunk and saying s–t people say all the time including black men.
“If you get triggered by a word it means you are too sensitive. God knows my heart and how I would protect black children until the day I die. I was speaking against black on black crime. They took everything out of context. Including the [Muslim] part I spoke against pedo activity in every [religion] and how I don’t stand for that.”
Garcia’s family sent a statement to The Post disavowing the boxer’s comments while reiterating that he is not a racist.
“Our family wishes to address recent statements made by our son, Ryan, that do not align with
his, or our family’s, true character or beliefs. Our family unequivocally does not support any
statements he has made regarding race or religion — these do not reflect who Ryan truly is and
how he was raised,” the statement said.
“Those who know Ryan can attest to his genuine respect and love for people of all races and
religions. Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years. As
a family, we remain committed to encouraging and ensuring he receives the necessary help to
navigate this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being.
We deeply appreciate the continued support, prayers and compassion you have towards our
family during these hard times.”
