Boxer Ryan Garcia Tests Positive for Prohibited Substance Ostarine
Doping Scandal
In a revelation that has rocked the world of boxing, rising star Ryan Garcia tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance ostarine, casting a shadow over his recent victory against Devin Haney. According to a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) addressed to all relevant parties, the positive test results were recorded both the day before and on the day of Garcia’s stunning upset last month.
Garcia, who defeated Haney by majority decision after knocking him down three times during the fight, now faces the possibility of having his win overturned. The 25-year-old boxer has a window of 10 days to request testing of his B-sample, following an initial A-sample that also indicated the presence of 19-norandrosterone, although further tests are needed to confirm this finding.
Speaking on social media platform X, Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating, “Everybody knows that I don’t cheat. Never taken a steroid… I don’t even know where to get steroids… I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat his ass.”
Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, has expressed its support for the athlete, emphasizing their belief in his innocence and their commitment to investigating the origins of these results. “Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances—and we believe him,” Golden Boy said.
The incident has prompted fierce reactions from the boxing community, particularly from Haney, who felt wronged by the circumstances of the bout. “It’s unfortunate Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and breaking positive not once, but twice,” Haney remarked. He criticized Garcia for not taking the situation seriously and highlighted the dangers inherent in the sport, underscoring that lives are at stake.
Weighty Consequences
In addition to the doping scandal, Garcia also faced penalties for missing weight ahead of the title fight, weighing in at 143.2 pounds—over the limit for the WBC 140-pound title. As a result, he was required to pay Haney over $600,000 and was ineligible to claim the title even with a victory. Nevertheless, his performance against Haney elevated him to No.
The New York State Athletic Commission has announced that it is closely monitoring the situation and is in talks with VADA to fully review the matter, stressing the importance of safety, fairness, and integrity in professional athletics.
Ostarine, known scientifically as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), has been prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2008. It is favored by athletes for its muscle-building properties and its ability to enhance stamina and recovery. The substance has a history of appearances in boxing; both Lucian Bute and Amir Khan faced suspensions after testing positive for ostarine in past fights.
As the investigation continues and the boxing community reacts, the future of Ryan Garcia’s career hangs in the balance. His reputation, his recent victory, and his path forward in the sport are all under intense scrutiny as he confronts one of the most challenging rounds of his career outside the ring.
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