Ryan Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance ostarine both the day before and on the day of his surprise victory over Devin Haney, according to a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. The urine samples indicating the presence of ostarine and 19-norandrosterone were collected before the fight, with Garcia vehemently denying any wrongdoing in a video statement.
Golden Boy Promotions, representing Garcia, has expressed its commitment to investigating the origins of these results, supporting Garcia’s claims of innocence. However, Devin Haney and the boxing community have expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing the seriousness of cheating in a sport where the physical safety of the competitors is paramount. The New York State Athletic Commission, along with VADA, is conducting an investigation to uphold “safety, fairness, and integrity” in boxing.
In addition to the doping allegations, Garcia faced issues with weight management, missing the weight limit for the WBC 140-pound title fight and consequently paying Haney over $600,000 in compensation. Despite his win, he was ineligible to claim the title due to this discrepancy.
Here is what Haney told ESPN after getting to know the Garcia situation: "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. I've always been an advocate for clean fighting and this is an example of such. 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."
We strongly oppose the use of any prohibited substances that enhance performance. The integrity of the sport depends on fair competition and the health and safety of its athletes. This situation is a reminder to everyone of the need for vigilance and strict adherence to anti-doping regulations to preserve the sport that we all love.
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