Ryan Garcia jokes about his arrest for vandalizing a hotel during a star-studded poker tournament in LA featuring Neymar, Jimmy Butler and Chris Eubank Jr.

By Oliver Salt

04:24 June 23, 2024, updated 09:00 June 23, 2024

Struggling boxer Ryan Garcia was heard joking about his arrest for vandalizing a hotel during a star-studded poker tournament in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

Garcia and several other well-known sports personalities attended 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 well-known face involved in the tournament.

At some point during the evening, Bilzerian and Eubank questioned Garcia about his recent arrest for vandalizing a Beverly Hills hotel, where he allegedly caused $15,000 in damage.

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The 25-year-old was reportedly seen being led away in handcuffs by police after vandalising a guest room at the Waldorf Astoria hotel earlier this month. He was released the next day after spending a night in jail.

“They just wanted to put me in jail,” Garcia said when Bilzerian asked why the hotel didn’t just charge him for the damage.

“Everyone destroys a hotel every now and then. Who hasn’t experienced that?”

His comments made Bilzerian, Eubank and co. laugh before he added: “Am I wrong, Dan?”

Garcia will have to take a year off from boxing after being suspended following his recent failed doping tests.

The super lightweight star tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine the day before and on the day of his victory over Devin Haney in April – and he also came to the fight almost two kilograms overweight.

Despite claiming to be a victim of “dietary supplement contamination,” he reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year suspension and foregoing his contractually agreed-upon $1.1 million prize money.

Garcia’s victory over Haney – the biggest of his career to date – was also officially converted to a no-contest.

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Following Thursday’s agreement, Garcia and his team released a statement asserting his innocence but pointing to the alleged “substance contamination” that they believe led to the failed tests.

The statement said: “Ryan Garcia was contaminated with billions and trillions of grams of substances that gave him no advantage in the ring.”

“Ryan and his legal team have resolved this issue and are sticking to the truth: he has never intentionally taken any banned substances. It is simply not in his nature.”

“Ryan has voluntarily submitted to random testing for many years, even out of competition, and has never had any problems. He has maintained an impeccable and clean record throughout his career, taking the sport of boxing to a significantly higher level and earning the respect and admiration of millions of fans around the world.

“Fans will always remember his performance against Haney as a masterpiece, and it will never be forgotten. Ryan will continue to take the sport to higher levels and actively advocate for reform. We hope that future changes to our system will address issues like this.”

“We want to thank all the fans who have continued to support Ryan, not only in the great moments, but also in the difficult times that life brings. He will be back in the ring soon and better than ever!”