In the wake of his stunning victory over Devin Haney on April 20, Ryan Garcia’s triumph has been overshadowed by a performance-enhancing drug scandal that continues to evolve. Garcia initially tested positive for Ostarine in his urine samples, stirring controversy and casting doubt on his impressive win.
Recent developments have provided Garcia with some relief as further testing revealed that the initial presence of a second banned substance, 19-Norandrosterone, was not confirmed in subsequent analyses. This news was shared by sports journalist Dan Rafael via a tweet, explaining that the lab report sent to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) indicated no confirmation of the second substance.
Despite this partial exoneration, Garcia’s situation remains complicated due to the persistent traces of Ostarine in his samples. Ostarine, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2008, is known for its muscle-building benefits. The New York State Athletic Commission is currently reviewing the matter, maintaining communication with VADA as the investigation proceeds.
Amidst the ongoing scrutiny, Garcia has taken to social media to assert his innocence, expressing frustration over the allegations and emphasizing the minimal impact the detected levels of Ostarine could have had on his performance. “So y’all realize I didn’t fail the tests now. No substance other than this imaginary ostrich substance… level so low wouldn’t have any effect. THEY TRIED BUT NO LIE STANDS PRAISE GOD,” Garcia posted, vehemently denying any wrongdoing.
In a candid revelation on the Fully Tilted podcast, Garcia admitted to being under the influence of alcohol and marijuana during the fight, claiming these substances did not enhance his performance. “If I was on steroids, I would have been in way better shape,” he explained, detailing his unconventional preparation for the bout.
Garcia’s victory, which was already controversial due to him being overweight and thus ineligible for the WBC super-lightweight title at stake, is now further marred by these allegations. Devin Haney, feeling the sting of his first professional loss and the potential risks involved, has accused Garcia of endangering his life by stepping into the ring under such conditions.
As Garcia and his legal team prepare to challenge any potential sanctions, which could include a suspension and fines, the boxing community remains divided. Some support Garcia’s claims of innocence, while others are disillusioned by the recurring issues of drug use in the sport. Golden Boy Promotions, representing Garcia, has announced that they are diligently working to uncover the origins of these drug test results, suggesting that the final chapters of this scandal have yet to be written.
