Less than two weeks after his incredible victory over Devin Haney, star boxer Ryan Garcia was informed that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance the day before and the day of his upset win.
According to a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association letter sent to Garcia and his team, the boxer tested positive for ostarine in urine samples that were collected prior to the fight. His A-sample also screened positive for 19-norandrosterone — but the results are not confirmed.
“Everybody knows that I don’t cheat,” Garcia said in a video posted on X. “Never taken a steroid…I don’t even know where to get steroids…I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat his ass.”
Following the notice informing him of the results, Garcia will have 10 days to request that his B-sample be tested. Golden Boy Promotions — led by Oscar De La Hoya — released a statement saying they are working with Garcia and his team to “determine how this finding came to be.”
“Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances — and we believe him,” Golden Boy said.
In a statement to ESPN, the previously undefeated Haney said:
“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. 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.”
