Ryan Garcia Accuses Juan Manuel Marquez of Steroid Use in Pacquiao Knockout Fight
In a shocking revelation, rising boxing star Ryan Garcia has voiced a bold accusation against Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, claiming that the stunning knockout victory over Manny Pacquiao in their fourth encounter was fueled by steroids. Garcia’s comments have reignited a long-standing debate in the boxing world about performance-enhancing drugs and their role in some of the sport’s most memorable moments.
Garcia’s Explosive Statement
Speaking candidly during an interview, Garcia said:
“I think Marquez was 100% on steroids in that fourth fight with Pacquiao. There’s no way you go from getting dropped in earlier fights to knocking Manny out cold like that.”
His claim refers to the December 2012 showdown—Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV—a fight remembered as one of the most dramatic and shocking endings in modern boxing history. In the sixth round, Marquez delivered a perfectly timed right hand that knocked Pacquiao out flat, leaving the Filipino legend unconscious for several minutes.
The Historic Rivalry
The Pacquiao-Marquez rivalry is one of boxing’s most celebrated. Across four epic battles, the two fighters pushed each other to the limit:
Their first fight (2004) ended in a controversial draw.
Pacquiao narrowly won their second (2008) and third (2011) fights by decision.
The fourth fight (2012), however, concluded with Marquez’s thunderous knockout, which not only avenged his previous losses but also cemented his legacy in boxing history.
While fans praised the dramatic finish, whispers about Marquez’s physique and conditioning at the time quickly spread. Some observers noted his unusually muscular build compared to earlier fights, raising speculation about possible enhancements.
Why Garcia Doubts Marquez
Ryan Garcia’s skepticism centers on Marquez’s sudden transformation and the drastic change in results. In the earlier bouts, Pacquiao repeatedly knocked Marquez down, but the Mexican warrior always found a way to recover and fight back. However, in their fourth meeting, the tide shifted completely.
Garcia questions how Marquez not only withstood Pacquiao’s speed and power but also delivered the decisive blow that ended one of the most dominant runs in boxing. For Garcia, this leap in performance seemed unnatural:
“When you’ve been dropped multiple times in fights and then suddenly you’re the one putting Manny to sleep, you have to wonder what happened,” he suggested.
The Controversy of Steroids in Boxing
Steroid allegations are not new in combat sports. The lure of gaining an edge in strength, endurance, and recovery has tempted many athletes, and boxing is no exception. Over the years, several high-profile fighters have tested positive for banned substances, tarnishing their reputations and legacies.
However, it is important to note that Juan Manuel Marquez never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. His strength and conditioning coach at the time, Ángel “Memo” Heredia, did raise eyebrows, as Heredia had a controversial past tied to doping scandals in other sports. This connection has often fueled speculation, even in the absence of concrete evidence.
Marquez’s Perspective
Marquez has consistently maintained his innocence. He has credited the knockout to years of hard work, meticulous preparation, and the experience gained from fighting Pacquiao multiple times. For him, the victory was the result of perfect timing and a strategy that had been honed over nearly a decade of rivalry.
Fans in Mexico and around the world celebrate the knockout as one of the greatest moments in boxing. For many, questioning it feels like diminishing the legacy of a fighter who gave everything inside the ring.
The Impact of Garcia’s Words
Ryan Garcia’s comments come at a time when he is trying to carve out his own identity in boxing. Known for his social media presence as much as his lightning-fast hands, Garcia has often spoken openly and provocatively about the sport’s biggest names. By bringing up the Pacquiao-Marquez controversy, he has once again placed himself in the headlines.
The boxing community remains divided. Some fans and analysts agree with Garcia’s doubts, citing the dramatic physical transformation of Marquez leading into the fight. Others dismiss the claim, arguing that Garcia’s comments are speculative and disrespectful to Marquez’s achievements.
A Debate That Won’t Die
More than a decade after Pacquiao-Marquez IV, the conversation surrounding the knockout continues to spark emotions. Was it one of the most brilliant punches in boxing history, or was it aided by something outside the rules?
Ryan Garcia’s bold accusations have ensured that the debate lives on. While no evidence has ever confirmed steroid use by Marquez, Garcia’s words have reopened old wounds and added fuel to a fire that may never be fully extinguished.
Conclusion
Boxing thrives on drama, both inside and outside the ring. The rivalry between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is already immortalized as one of the sport’s greatest. But with Ryan Garcia’s recent comments, the narrative has taken a controversial twist, forcing fans to once again question one of the most unforgettable knockouts in history.
