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WBC Reinstates Ryan Garcia, Clearing Path to Potential Title Shot in 2026

The sanctioning body cited a documented rehabilitation process in reversing last year's expulsion over racist and anti-Muslim posts.

Overview

  • The WBC Board of Governors voted to lift Garcia’s ban, with president Mauricio Sulaiman welcoming him back and expressing confidence in a fresh start.
  • Garcia posted that he is “officially unbanned” and thanked the WBC, saying he aims to compete for the organization’s green and gold belt.
  • Talks are being discussed for a WBC welterweight title fight with champion Mario Barrios in early 2026, with reports of promoters exchanging contracts but no agreement finalized.
  • Garcia was expelled by the WBC in July 2024 for racist and Islamophobic social-media posts following a tumultuous period in which he apologized and described his behavior as trolling.
  • Regulatory backdrop includes a NYSAC suspension after an ostarine positive that overturned his Devin Haney win to a no contest, and he has not fought since a unanimous-decision loss to Rolando Romero in May.