Boxing star Ryan Garcia apologizes for use of racial slurs - ESPN

Boxing star Ryan Garcia apologized Friday for his use of racial slurs against Black people and disparaging comments he made about Muslims during a recent livestream on social media.

«I take all responsibility for my words,» Garcia wrote as part of a series of posts on X. «Sorry everyone that I offended.»

Garcia went on to say that he is «misunderstood,» is struggling with substance abuse and is «going to rehab.»

His apology came one day after World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman announced his sanctioning body was expelling Garcia for his actions during the livestream.

«We reject any form of discrimination,» Sulaiman wrote. «I fear for Ryan's well-being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.»

Oscar De La Hoya, Garcia's promoter, denounced his fighter's behavior in a strongly worded statement issued Friday on X.

«There is no room for hate or intolerance at my company. Period. I condemn Ryan's words in the strongest terms possible,» De La Hoya wrote. «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. We hope Ryan will use 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.»

«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...

Garcia is currently serving a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission after testing positive for