“He Is Suffering”: WBC Prez Extends Support to Ryan Garcia, Promises No Harsh Punishment

The worst seems to have happened to Ryan Garcia as the New York State Athletics Commission has handed the Victorville native a one-year ban from the sport of boxing for testing positive for ostarine. The ban comes with a forfeiture of his $1.2 million contract purse and a $10,000 fine. Meanwhile, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has expressed his support for the 25-year-old boxer.

According to NYSAC’s ruling, Garcia will be allowed to fight again after 20 April 2025 and would need to produce clean urine tests before his license is reissued. On top of this, Garcia’s win over Devin Haney has been overturned into a no-contest. Yet, Sulaiman has promised that no harsh punishments will be handed to Garcia from their end.

Sulaiman says Ryan Garcia needs help and support

As a sanctioning body, WBC can bar athletes from competing for their belts, as they did for Russian boxers after the Russia-Ukraine war, or like they refused to recognize Amanda Serrano’s twelve three-minute rounds fights. However, for the 25-year-old boxing sensation, who brings in millions with his fights, WBC seems to be taking a different approach.

In his post on X today, Sulaiman wrote, “We don’t care to punish him. We want to help Ryan, the human being, he is suffering, going through difficulties,” highlighting that people have been asking for action against Garcia. Sulaiman doesn’t think the entire ordeal has anything to do with boxing—rather, he wrote, “Ryan needs immediate support and attention NOW. Champ, we are here for you”.

It’s worth mentioning that many have raised questions about Ryan Garcia’s mental health before and after the Haney fight. Not to mention, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, so Sulaiman’s support may have been rooted in Garcia’s recent troubles. However, the question is, what does Devin Haney have to say about the WBC president’s statement?

Devin Haney brands Sulaiman’s tweet pathetic

Since this ruling from NYSAC was revealed, Devin Haney has been understandably celebrating the decision—for him, the ultimate justice has been served. However, he wasn’t happy about the post from Sulaiman. Turning to his Instagram story earlier today, ‘The Dream’ condemned the move, highlighting his recent purse bid with Sandor Martin.

“WBC called for a purse bid while I was going through damages of being cheated.. this is pathetic,” wrote Haney. This wasn’t the end, though. Looks like Devin Haney is suing Garcia, suggesting had it not been for the drug debacle, he would get more money from the purse bid for the Sandor Martin fight. It’s worth mentioning that Top Rank has secured the rights to the potential Martin fight, instead of Matchroom Boxing, which promotes Devin Haney.

It looks like fans won’t get to see Ryan Garcia in the ring until next year, but he seems to fight every six months, meaning the Victorville native is losing out on one fight and a fraction of the money he made from the Haney fight. Is this really a punishment or a forced vacation? What do you think?