Ryan Garcia responded to his arrest in Los Angeles on Saturday night by starting a trend to ‘free’ him from jail on social media.
The controversial boxer was arrested for felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills after apparently damaging $15,000 worth of property.
TMZ claims that Garcia was ‘seemingly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs’ at the time, but added that he cooperated with authorities during his arrest.
Further reports emerged on Sunday suggesting he has now been released from jail, before being taken to hospital for evaluation and treatment.
However, Garcia took to X on Sunday to start a ‘Free Ryan’ crusade despite claims that he has already been released.
He also wrote: ‘Prayer warriors – Please I need prayers – A lot of prayers – Prayers can move mountains – LORD JESUS SAVE ME’.
The 25-year-old, who tested positive for PEDs following his upset victory over Devin Haney in April, went on to compare himself to Donald Trump and Britney Spears following his arrest over the weekend.
‘Kinda funny both trump and I are in jail,’ he said. ‘I don’t know if he is in jail but I know he got convicted. This sucks, But I love Jesus I will be okay.’
In a separate post, Garcia also wrote: ‘I feel like I’m Ryan Spears. Aka Britney Spears. This sucks. I never hurt anyone I’ve only ever loved everyone prayed for people. And try to make a change in this cruel world. I love you Christ Jesus Amen.’
Garcia beat Haney earlier this year, albeit after coming in almost four pounds overweight, yet his erratic conduct in the buildup led many to question if he was mentally stable enough to fight.
It then emerged after his victory that he had tested positive for banned substance Ostarine the day before and the day of the bout. His requested B-sample also came back positive.
TMZ reported earlier this week that Garcia was subject to a welfare check by police at the same hotel after a call from a concerned family member.
Officers apparently determined that he was fine and it was the end of the matter.
But his arrest on Saturday in California is the latest concerning instalment for Garcia in tumultuous few months.
In December 2023, he divorced his wife Andrea Celina immediately after the birth of their second child.
Then, heading into his much-anticipated clash with Haney in April, he sparked major fears over the state of his mental health with a series of disturbing and bizarre online tirades, including one in which he alleged that his throat had been slit.
Garcia also claimed to have been raped at an early age by a family member, while alleging that he was tied up in the woods by ‘the elites’ and forced to watch child rape.
