Disgraced boxer Ryan Garcia has a history of problematic behavior. However, the trouble he’s found himself in recently could be career-ending — and social media has big thoughts about it.
During a Twitter Spaces in early July, Garcia reportedly made several racist comments, including “I hate n——-s” and “I’m anti-Black,” according to MSNBC. When someone else on the Spaces brought up killing “the next George Floyd,” the boxer allegedly replied that they should “bring George Floyd back to life and kill that n——- again.”
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In the aftermath of his hateful comments, Garcia was expelled by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and harshly criticized by the boxing world and its fans. A few days later, he apologized on social media, saying in part that he’s “misunderstood.”
“I take all responsibility for my words. I’m misunderstood, I just got a lot of trauma. And It’s been a tough couple of months as everyone can tell but I AM SORRY,” he wrote on X.
“I struggle with substance abuse and it hard for me with everything going on. I actually love Black people no cap which is why I’m actually [sad] I offended all my Black family and friends. This sucks but all I can do is be better and stop using stupid words and letting some people in my circle hype me up. Sorry everyone that I offended. I still stand on stopping Black on Black crime.”
Garcia followed that up with posts asserting that “In the hood everyone has said the N word” and his thought “That a black man can be racist.” He also called out the WBC for its decision, writing on X, “So many other people have said racist remarks and you never expelled.”
His response was not well received on social media, where many users seemed to think it was weak.
One person let him know his issues don’t give him a free pass, writing, on X, “Pick One. Either you’re misunderstood, or you take full responsibility…Newsflash Ryan, everyone goes through tough times, it’s not an excuse to be a prick…You’re a grown man with a gigantic platform and you have a duty to use that platform responsibly because of the influence you wield. If you cannot use the platform wisely, do not use it. Step away from the social media limelight, grow up, seek help and get your act together. An apology without corresponding action is empty and hollow.”
Another user expressed their disgust with his ugly comments about Muslims, writing on X, “Ryan Garcia gotta be the most insufferable ex athlete alive rn.. he calls himself the face of Christian athletes and this is how he behaves. He also expressed his HATRED for Muslims when Sneako joined the X space.”
Someone else had very strong words for the boxer, posting, “#RyanGarcia is an anti-black racist against us. Plain and simple. RIP to our late brother, #GeorgeFloyd. His family and loved ones are always in my thoughts and prayers. In the words of Dr. John Henrik Clarke, ‘We have no friends.’”
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, who is also the founder of Garcia’s representation Golden Boy Promotions released a statement about his fighter’s comments.
”There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company. Period. I condemn Ryan’s words in the strongest terms possible. I see that he has apologized, and that is a start — but it is only a start to earn back the trust and respect of those of us who have and continue to support him,” he wrote. “We hope Ryan will use the the time he has away from the sport to work through the issues he has publicly discussed. We stand ready to help in whatever we can.”
After defeating Devin Haney in April, Garcia tested positive for performance enhancing drug Ostarine, leading to a year-long suspension from the the New York State Athletic Commission.
Ahead of the bout, there were concerns about his mental health. Following the fight, he claimed he was just promoting it by “acting sporadic and crazy.” While that may have been all an act, his recent racist social media rant did not play that way.
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