Pro boxer Ryan Garcia tested positive for performance-enhancing substances both before and after his victory over WBC super-lightweight Devin Haney last week, ESPN has reported. With his win and his career now hanging in the balance, the Trump-loving fighter vehemently denies any allegation that he cheated, calling the test results “Fake News.”
As Valuetainment previously reported, Garcia was deemed the winner of his explosive faceoff with Haney by majority decision but was not awarded his opponent’s championship title as he was over the weight limit for the class. While Haney retains the champion title, Garcia achieved the career-best win, having knocked out the number 6 pound-for-pound boxer.
Damn!
By the way, terrible job refereeing.
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) April 21, 2024
But according to a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association letter sent to all parties on Wednesday, Garcia’s urine samples collected the day before and the day after the fight both tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator that can stimulate muscle growth. The compound is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
ESPN boxing reporter Mike Coppinger added that Garcia also screened positive for 19-norandrosterone, although that result was “unconfirmed.”
Learn the benefits of becoming a Valuetainment Member and subscribe today!
“We learned about this situation not too long ago and 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 said in a statement to ESPN. “Ryan owes the fans an apology, and by his recent tweet he still thinks this is a joke. We put our lives on the line to entertain people for a living. You don’t play boxing. This puts the fight in a completely different light. Despite the disadvantage, I still fought on my shield and got back up! People die in this sport. This isn’t a joking matter.”
“Everybody knows that I don’t cheat,” Garcia said in a video posted to X. “What can I say? Why didn’t they come out with this before the fight if they found it before? Why would they let me step into the ring as a cheater and then come out with a victory and post this.”
“These are people that are trying to attack me for whatever reason,” he added. “I’ve never taken a steroid in my life, I don’t even know where to get steroids at the end of the day. I barely take supplements.”
Fake news like if I was Donald trump pic.twitter.com/PVg5EW7yLd
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 2, 2024
Related: Fighter Ryan Garcia Makes Wild Claims About the Bohemian Grove
In a separate post, Garcia seemed to indicate that the positive test was the result of tainted Ashwagandha Root supplements, saying “My bad I shouldn’t have took this.”
My bad I shouldn’t have took this pic.twitter.com/WDgWkMMyOr
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 2, 2024
This benign herbal remedy is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other stress-related conditions, as well as to boost energy.
Garcia now has 10 days to request that his B-sample be tested to verify the results of the first screening. If the second sample returns the same result, his victory could be overturned.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Add comment