Professional boxer Ryan Garcia found himself in a tangle with the law, following allegations of felony vandalism at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills. According to KTLA, the 25-year-old sports star caused an estimated $15,000 worth of damage last Saturday. Police responded to the scene around 5:45 p.m. after the boxer was reported to have damaged property in both his hotel room and the hallway. TMZ shared that Garcia might have been under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the incident. Photos captured by witnesses depict the moment Garcia was escorted to a patrol car while shirtless and sporting a black motorcycle helmet.
Subsequent to the altercation, Beverly Hills police took Garcia into custody, where he was later released Saturday night. His legal counsel, Darin Chavez, revealed to TMZ Sports that "[Ryan] was taken by the BHPD to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment and to our knowledge, may be charged with public intoxication." These developments add yet another layer of adversity for Garcia, who already faces potential suspension by the New York Athletic Commission after testing positive for the banned substance Ostarine. This revelation came to light after his surprising victory over Devin Haney in April. ESPN reported on a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association confirming the findings of his drug test, both the day before and on the day of the fight.
Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing in a video statement, saying, "I’ve never taken a steroid in my life. I don’t even know where to get steroids. At the end of the day, I barely take supplements." His victory against Haney could potentially be jeopardized if the allegations of substance abuse are verified. Despite these claims, CBS News reports that no further information on the Beverly Hills incident or the surrounding circumstances has been released.
Amid his legal and professional turmoil, Garcia is also dealing with personal hardship. His mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, adding emotional strain to an already challenging period. As reported by CBS Los Angeles, Garcia previously held the World Boxing Council's interim lightweight championship in 2021 and boasts a professional career record of 25-1.
