A shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the boxing world, Ryan Garcia, the promising young boxer, has reportedly tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug, ostarine. The test was conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) following Garcia's upset victory over Devin Haney on April 20.
According to multiple sources cited by boxing journalist Dan Rafael, Garcia's test results came back positive for the prohibited substance. ESPN's Mike Coppinger further added that Garcia had disqualified himself from winning the WBC super lightweight title due to being three pounds overweight at the weigh-ins.
Garcia, who entered the fight as a significant underdog, managed to knock down Haney in the seventh, tenth, and eleventh rounds, ultimately securing a majority decision win. However, this victory now stands on shaky ground, with the potential to be overturned if the positive drug test is confirmed.
In response to the allegations, Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing. "Everybody knows that I don’t cheat," Garcia said in a video posted on social media. "Never taken a steroid ... I don’t even know where to get steroids. ... I barely take supplements. Big lies."
The substance in question, ostarine, is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) that is not approved for human use or consumption in the U.S., or in any other country. Despite its potential benefits in treating various health conditions, it is often obtained through black market channels and has been linked to an increasing number of positive tests in recent years.
The news of Garcia's positive test has sparked outrage among the boxing community, with Devin Haney expressing his disappointment. "This puts the fight in a completely different light," Haney said. His father and trainer, Bill Haney, also expressed his frustration, accusing Garcia of trying to gain an unfair advantage.
The New York State Athletic Commission has stated that it is in communication with VADA and is reviewing the matter. Meanwhile, Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Garcia, said in a statement that they are working with Garcia's team to "determine how this finding came to be."
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