Ryan Garcia was the toast of much of the boxing world last month when he stunned Devin Haney.
After a wild build-up to the fight, which included Garcia cutting weight significantly, the southpaw floored Haney three times en route to the majority decision victory.
However, there appears to be a twist to the story, as “King Ry” failed drug tests the day before and the day of the April 20 fight in Brooklyn.
As first reported by journalist Dan Rafael, García returned two positive tests for the banned substance ostarine.
Ryan Garcia responds to PED reports
García, always online, responded to the news almost immediately, starting a Spaces on X in which he denied any wrongdoing.
“You could see fake news, damn fake news,” Garcia told listeners.
“Don’t believe these fuckers, bro, I never took a fucking steroid in my fucking life.”
García continued to question the timing of the news.
“They supposedly had [the test results] Why didn’t they publish it?” he asked.
“Do they publish it after I win? It doesn’t make sense.
“I tried the day of the fight, nothing, and suddenly it came out.
“Bro, someone paying someone, this is definitely fake news, if they had this information they should have released it before the fight started, because why would you let a cheater get in the ring?
“Suddenly I win and then you let it go? It seems a little suspicious to me.”
Prior to the fight, Garcia had made headlines for his unpredictable activity on social media, leading many to question whether he was mentally fit to fight.
The young star then missed the weight by more than three pounds, paying Haney $1.5 million based on a press conference handshake agreement.
When fight night arrived, Garcia pulled off a major upset, knocking down Haney three times en route to a majority decision victory in a performance that had fans wondering if it was all an act.
In response to reports of a failed drug test, he said he was going to “keep trolling.”
“I know in my heart that I didn’t cheat so I’m just gonna keep trolling this s**t, this s**t is so f**king funny to me,” he said.
“At the end of the day, I’m definitely innocent, but again, people hate the truth, they hate people who talk.
“I’ve never cheated a day in my life, I never have, I never will, I don’t move like that.
“Even if some motherfucker was on steroids, they’d still give you your ass.”
Garcia recently met with former President Donald Trump and suggested the connection had something to do with drug test results.
Hmm you see me with Trump
And now I’m positive for steroids.
This is a direct attack.
Crazy
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 2, 2024
Golden Boy Promotions also issued a statement, endorsing their fighter.
“Ryan has issued multiple statements denying conscious use of banned substances, and we believe him,” the statement said.
“We are working with his team to determine how this finding arose and will address it further once we conclude the process.”
Devin Haney responds to Ryan Garcia doping reports
In a statement to ESPNHaney responded to the news, criticizing his opponent for alleged irregularities.
“We learned of this situation not long ago and it is unfortunate that Ryan has misled and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and testing positive not once, but twice,” Haney said.
“I’ve always been an advocate for fair fights and this is an example of that. Ryan owes the fans an apology, and from his recent tweet he still thinks this is a joke.
“We risk our lives to make a living entertaining people. You don’t play boxing. This puts the fight in a completely different light.
“Despite the disadvantage, I still fought with my shield and got up!
“People die in this sport. It’s not a joke.”
Ryan García PED: Boxer tests positive in anti-doping test
On Wednesday night, Rafael reported that the 25-year-old had tested twice positive for the banned substance ostarine.
Rafael revealed that the hard-hitting southpaw’s urine tests before and after the April 20 fight with Haney came back positive for the substance.
BREAKING: According to multiple sources with knowledge of the results, Ryan Garcia tested positive for the banned PED Ostarine in a VADA test related to the Haney fight. #boxing
—Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 2, 2024
Ryan Garcia has 10 days to request that the B sample be tested at his own expense. So not only did he lose 3.2 pounds of weight, but he was also apparently dirty for one PED and possibly two. #boxing
—Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 2, 2024
Before the fight, Garcia and Haney signed up for the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) program.
What is Ostarine?
Ostarine is a banned performance-enhancing drug, used by athletes to increase strength and muscle growth.
Classified as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), it binds to the body’s androgen receptors and stimulates muscle growth, which is why it is commonly used by bodybuilders through dietary supplements.
While it works in a similar way, SARMs like Ostarine are not steroids, as they target specific parts of the human body, while steroids affect the entire body.
The drug is not approved by the FDA, meaning it is not suitable for human consumption, and its use by athletes is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
