Ryan Garcia has officially been reinstated by the WBC, paving the way for the former world title challenger to fight for a championship again as WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the decision 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,” Sulaiman announced. “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 with open arms and trust you will be an ambassador for the new generation.”
Watch Garcia vs. Romero highlights.
Garcia had been barred from all WBC activity since July 2024, months into a one-year suspension imposed by the New York State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine. His majority-decision win over Devin Haney in April 2024 was overturned to a no-contest. However, his expulsion from the WBC stemmed not from the doping violation but from racist and Islamophobic comments made during a viral livestream on X, which prompted Sulaiman to denounce “any form of discrimination.”
Since returning to action, Garcia has dropped a unanimous decision to Rolando Romero and is now closing in on a lucrative matchup with Mario Barrios, the reigning WBC welterweight champion. According to reports, the bout is expected to take place in early 2026.
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