WBC issues statement of support for Ryan Garcia removal ahead of Mental Health Awareness Month

After Ryan Garcia announced his withdrawal from his upcoming fight, the WBC has reached out publically in support of the young boxing prospect.

The WBC has spoken out after Ryan Garcia announced his withdrawal from his originally scheduled bout with Javier Fortuna on July 9.

The promotion posted a message of support for one of Boxing’s rising stars on their Instagram on Saturday evening.

Garcia made an Instagram announcement of his own earlier in the day that he would be withdrawing from his upcoming bout with Fortuna, citing ‘health and well-being’ concerns. The 26-year-old has spoken out in recent months about his own struggles with mental health, and his efforts to erase the stigma that comes along with it.

The support from the WBC comes less than a week before the start of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Boxing has taken countless steps in an attempt to make an impact on those who suffer from mental illness.

Garcia isn’t the only current boxer who has had their own issues with mental health over the past few years, including two-time world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

This past November marked the six-year anniversary of the WBC’s creation of their own mental health program. As a part of the program, ambassadors of the sport bring the topic of mental health to the forefront of public discussion; which has included meeting with politicians in Washington D.C. on an annual basis.

Garcia is one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in Boxing and knocked out Luke Campbell in sensational fashion earlier this year. He is currently the holder of the WBC’s interim lightweight title and was scheduled to make his first title defense against Fortuna.

While it is surely disappointing for fans that Garcia will miss his upcoming fight this summer, it is encouraging that one of the sport’s biggest stars is being open and honest about mental health. Garcia has talked about his own struggles with anxiety and depression.