On Saturday, Ryan Garcia will make his return to the ring when he takes on Rolly Romero as the main event live from Times Square.
It will be the first time Garcia has fought since April 20, 2024, when he defeated Devin Haney to pull off a major upset. Since then, the young boxer has dealt with a bunch of controversy, which led to him being suspended from fighting.
Garcia's fight against Romero will end the long-anticipated wait, as the 25-year-old looks for his 26th career victory. Ahead of the fight, here's a look at Garcia's controversial year leading up to this return.
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Why did Ryan Garcia get suspended?
In June of 2024, the New York State Athletic Commission suspended Garcia for one year and stripped him of his win against Haney for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. As a result, Garcia was stripped of his boxing license until April 20, 2025, as long as he didn't fail another drug test in that time. He was also stripped of over $1 million in winnings.
"The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction," the NYSAC said in a statement.
MORE: Everything to know about the Times Square boxing card
Ryan Garcia failed drug test
After Garcia defeated Devin Haney on April 20, 2024, Garcia tested positive for ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug that is listed as a banned substance. Ostarine was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2008.
Garcia initially told ESPN that he didn't know how he tested positive for the drug.
"I don't know where [the adverse finding] came from," Garcia said. "Honestly, bro, I don't. I was taking ashwagandha, D-3, Omega-3, just normal s---. I don't know what the f--- [ostarine] is... I have seriously no idea. I would tell everybody the truth."
Ryan Garcia WBC suspension
Just a few weeks after Garcia's NYSAC suspension, the World Boxing Council expelled Garcia after he used racial slurs and Islamophobic language in the comments of a social media livestream.
"We reject any form of discrimination," WBC president Sulaiman said on social media. "I fear for Ryan well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse."
Garcia's own parents released a statement following the incident, saying that the 25-year-old needed professional help with his mental health.
"Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years and as a family we are committed to ensuring and encouraging that he receives the necessary help to navigate this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being," they said.
‼️ Statement from Ryan Garcia’s parents after his disgraceful tweets today: “Our family unequivocally does not support any statements he has made regarding race or religion.” pic.twitter.com/0fXfX8LoZo
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 5, 2024
After initially declining to apologize for his comments, Garcia later ppeared to express some sort of remorse for what he said.
"I was trolling I want all the killing to stop," Garcia said. "I love everyone sorry if I offended you."