Troubled boxer Ryan Garcia was heard joking about his arrest for trashing a hotel at a star-studded poker tournament in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Garcia and several other high-profile sports figures took part in the ‘Legends On The Felt’ event at Hustler Casino; including Brazilian soccer player Neymar, NBA superstar Jimmy Butler and fellow boxer Chris Eubank Jr.
Professional poker player and social-media influencer Dan Bilzerian was another famous face involved in the tournament.
At one stage of the evening, Bilzerian and Eubank quizzed Garcia about his recent arrest for trashing a hotel in Beverly Hills, after he was alleged to have caused $15,000 worth of damage to it.
Ryan Garcia was heard joking about his arrest for trashing a hotel at a star-studded poker event
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The 25-year-old was seen being led away in handcuffs by police after smashing up a guest room at the Waldorf Astoria hotel earlier this month, before he was released the following day after spending the night in jail, according to reports.
‘They just wanted to take me to jail,’ Garcia said when Bilzerian asked why the hotel didn’t just charge him for the damage.
‘Everybody trashes a hotel every once in a while. Who hasn’t?’
His comments left Bilzerian, Eubank and Co in stitches before he added: ‘Am I wrong, Dan?’
Garcia is set to spend a year away from boxing after receiving a suspension in the wake of his recent failed drugs tests.
The super-lightweight star tested positive for banned substance Ostarine the day before and the day of his win over Devin Haney in April – having also come in almost four pounds overweight for the fight.
Despite claiming he is the victim of ‘supplement contamination’, on Thursday he reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission, agreeing to serve a one-year suspension and forfeit his $1.1million contracted purse.
Garcia’s win over Haney – the biggest of his career to date – was also officially changed to a no-contest.
Soccer player Neymar (left) and Garcia’s fellow boxer Chris Eubank Jr (right) also took part
NBA superstar Jimmy Butler was another high-profile name involved in the tournament
Dan Bilzerian and Co were left in stitches when Garcia joked about his recent hotel arrest
He was arrested for felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills (pictured)
The controversial boxer has just received a one-year suspension from the sport over doping
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Following Thursday’s settlement, Garcia and his team released a statement in which they maintain his innocence while pointing to the alleged ‘substance contamination’ which they believe led to the failed tests.
The statement reads: ‘Ryan Garcia was a victim of substance contamination, with levels measured in the billions and trillions of a gram, which provided no advantage whatsoever in the ring.
‘Ryan, with his legal team, has resolved this issue and firmly maintains his truth: he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature.
‘For many years, Ryan has voluntarily submitted to random testing, even during out-of-competition periods, and has never had any issues. He has maintained an impeccable and clean record throughout his career, significantly elevating and transcending the sport of boxing, earning respect and admiration from millions of fans worldwide.
‘The fans will always remember his performance against Haney as a masterclass, and that will never be erased. Ryan will continue to elevate the sport and will be actively involved in advocating for reform. We hope future changes in our system will address issues like this one.
‘We want to thank all of the fans who have continued to support Ryan, not only during the great moments but also through the difficult times that life brings. He will be back in the ring soon and better than ever!