Garcia’s Controversial Year Hits New Low with Offensive Remarks and WBC Expulsion

2024 has been a tumultuous year for professional boxer Garcia, who has consistently found himself at the center of controversy. This week, Garcia once again attracted public ire during a Twitter Spaces livestream where he repeatedly used racial slurs and made homophobic, anti-Semitic, and anti-Muslim statements. 

In response to his offensive comments, the World Boxing Council (WBC) swiftly expelled Garcia from its organization, emphasizing its stance against discrimination. “The WBC rejects any form of discrimination,” the organization declared.

On Friday, Garcia addressed the severe backlash he faced with an apology that many found contradictory. “I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone said that word that now I’m abolishing from my vocabulary,” Garcia said in an Instagram post. “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.”

He continued, “Black and brown have always united, and it will always be that way. I’m just a shade lighter [than] you, but I love you and I love black children to the point I’d [die] for a black child. I was actually speaking against black on black crime. [Again] I’m sorry.”

However, Garcia’s apology did not address his other incendiary statements, including death threats toward various communities. Furthermore, the picture accompanying his post appeared to contradict his apology, suggesting that those offended were “too sensitive.”

In his statement, Garcia wrote, “Let me get this straight, I’ve actually supported black communities, have taken racism from Tim Bradley calling me a zoo animal on ESPN, and [turned] the other cheek but I’m racist [because] everyone was just drunk and saying shit people say all the time including black men. If you get triggered by a word that 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 continued to deflect responsibility in the comments section of his post, blaming friends for pressuring him into using slurs. He also announced plans to check himself into rehab, citing his struggles with substance abuse. 

In a third iteration of his apology posted on Twitter, Garcia reiterated his struggles. “I take all responsibility for my words,” Garcia said. “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. 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 said 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. And that I hate pedo’s so that will always remain something I stand on.”

In addition to Garcia’s numerous statements, his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, also commented on the controversy via Instagram. De La Hoya condemned Garcia’s actions but expressed full support for his fighter.

As Garcia navigates this latest controversy, the boxing world will be watching closely to see how he addresses these serious issues moving forward and whether he can make meaningful changes in his behavior and public statements.