WBC lifts ‘racial slur’ suspension on Ryan Garcia clearing the way for a potential Mario Barrios matchup 

Former WBC interim lightweight champion cleared to compete and headed for a WBC welterweight title fight

Ryan Garcia’s suspension lift was confirmed by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, who broke the news in a tweet on X this week.

Sulaiman tweeted: “The WBC Board of Governors has voted in favour of lifting the ban on Ryan Garcia after his successful process which has been documented.”

The Mexican added: “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.”

The WBC ban was put in place July of last year after the American repeatedly used racial slurs against black people and disparaged Muslims on social media. This was only one of the many bizarre behaviours performed by the popular fighter who was also handed a one-year suspension for a failed drugs test following his fight with Devin Haney in 2024.

From California, 'KingRy' initially won the fight against his amateur rival, Haney, knocking him down three times enroute to a mixed decision victory, but it was overturned to a No Contest following his suspension.

Since then, Ryan Garcia is coming off a loss to welterweight fighter Rolly Romero in May, losing widely on points, something not many expected to see, but despite this, the American’s future still looks promising.

Following the WBC ban lift, there’s a possibility that Garcia will face current WBC welterweight title holder Mario Barrios and, according to ESPN sources, a fight between the two fighters have been discussed but the matchup is yet to be confirmed.

Ryan Garcia has hinted at a WBC title fight matchup in a tweet on X: “I’m officially unbanned from the WBC. I want to thank the WBC for seeing my efforts of change and making the decision”.

He added: “I’m ready to put that green and gold belt on”.

Mario Barrios will be confident coming into the matchup after going the distance and securing a majority draw with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in July.