De La Hoya Bashes WBC For Banning Garcia – ‘Ryan Is Not A Racist, I Heard He Does Shrooms’
Oscar De La Hoya has come to Ryan Garcia’s defense, stating that the WBC acted too hastily in banning him.
The WBC cut ties with Garcia following a series of controversial posts on X. The posts were derogatory comments centred around African Americans, Christians, Muslims and George Floyd, to name a few. The boxer deleted the posts and apologized for his conduct, as he expressed his intention to enter rehab. Garcia is currently banned for one year after testing positive for Ostarine.
It meant his victory against Devin Haney became a no-contest. During the build-up to the Haney fight, Garcia admitted that he was drinking and smoking weed. There is a worry that his erratic behaviour may be due to how he conducts himself outside of the ring by not having an athlete’s lifestyle. The WBC had backed Garcia when he initially tested positive, hoping to work with him to find a solution. But now Garcia faces a serious battle to improve his reputation.
De La Hoya Reacts
De La Hoya understandably backed his biggest star, stating the WBC should have acted with more care. He referenced how the organization should have waited to gather all the information before deciding. Garcia has previously been out of the ring for a prolonged period due to issues with mental health after his victory against Luke Campbell. Oscar wanted the WBC to be more patient with their actions.
“It’s wrong what he said, but you got to gather all the information before you make the accusations the way the WBC did. I’m not a doctor. I don’t know. Maybe Ryan has a bad psychological problem when he does. I heard he does shrooms, drugs, and or when he’s drinking. Maybe he has people inside his circle telling him it’s okay to do this like a sabotage type of thing.
“In boxing, you don’t know what the hell is going on around your circle because people can plant things. The WBC made their statement, and it is what it is. I’m no doctor. I just know what he said was wrong. I know Ryan. Ryan is not a racist guy; he’s just not. I know him. He’s not that,” De La Hoya said
Garcia Responds
Garcia has reacted to the WBC’s decision, hitting out at what he perceives as double standards. He referenced how Devin Haney allegedly made racial marks but was never punished by the WBC. The boxer allegedly claimed that he would ‘never lose to a white boy,’ getting severe criticism. Haney had to defend his comments and denied having any racial malice. Garcia also singled out Tim Bradley, who reportedly referred to Garcia as a zoo animal live on air. Given that Bradley was allowed to keep his job, Garcia hit out at the double standards towards him.
“It’s okay; just don’t try to work with me ever again, even after I get clean and sober. So WBC, so many other people have said racist remarks, and you never expelled. I’m expelled for life. The problem is Devin [Haney] has said racist things, and so has Tim Bradley and NADA. You do nothing,” Garcia revealed
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