WBC PRESIDENT Mauricio Sulaiman has issued his final verdict on Ryan Garcia, who was expelled from any activity with the green and gold sanctioning body in July 2024.
Back then, the former world title challenger was several months into his year-long ban, imposed by the New York State Athletic Commission after he failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) test.
It emerged shortly after his clash with Devin Haney, who he outpointed via a majority decision in April last year, that Garcia, 24-2 (20 KOs), had tested positive for Ostarine, a banned substance.
But while his victory over Haney was promptly overturned to a no-contest, Garcia’s suspension with the WBC was not the result of his failed test.
Rather, Sulaiman’s social media post, where he rejected ‘any form of discrimination,’ was in response to Garcia’s racist and Islamophobic comments during a viral livestream on X.
Since then, though, the 27-year-old has returned to the ring, losing a unanimous decision to Rolando Romero last May, and appears set to secure yet another lucrative fight in 2026.
According to Ring Magazine journalist Mike Coppinger, who reported on this story several days ago, ‘King Ry’ and WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios are closing on a deal to collide in the first quarter of next year.
Barrios retained his title following a lacklustre performance against Manny Pacquiao who, even at the age of 46, somehow held his rival to a draw this past July.
As for Garcia, the American’s ban with the WBC has now been lifted, with Sulaiman confirming as much in a post on X.
“The WBC Board of Governors has voted in favour of lifting the ban on [Garcia] after his successful process which had been documented.
“The WBC has been very close to Ryan, his family, management and promoter and we trust a new life inside and outside the ring will begin.
“We welcome you [Garcia] with open arms and trust you will be an ambassador for the new generation.”
This announcement paves the way for the Barrios fight, an update for which should be coming soon.
