Ryan Garcia denies ever using steroids in response to news of him testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs twice.
Garcia boldly declared in an obscenity-laced video on the X platform, "I beat him up," referring to the rumors of dishonesty. "Everybody knows I don't cheat," he emphasized.
Just a day prior, ESPN disclosed that it had gained possession of a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). This letter highlighted that Garcia had provided urine samples before the event, but the outcomes were disclosed after the fight.
In response to this news, Garcia spoke up, assuring, "I've never taken steroids... I don't even know where to purchase steroids to begin with... I rarely consume supplements."
The 25-year-old Garcia, considered the face of boxing, trains alongside bigwigs like Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez and Óscar Valdez. In a crowd-filled Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on April 20, he knocked down Haney three times, leading to a majority decision win.
Despite garnering attention, Garcia had already overshot the weigh-in limitation, registering three pounds overweight.
Although missing the weight limit is not unheard of for a world championship bout, it's infrequent, which means Garcia was no longer a potential candidate for the WBC super lightweight title, despite the fight taking place as planned.
Ostarine is trademarked as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), a pharmaceutical substance with similar effects as testosterone. These drugs are commonly marketed as "legal steroids" online, promising leaner and more muscular appearances for bodybuilders and boosted athletic performance. They are not sanctioned for human usage or ingestion in the USA or any other nation, per the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
USADA asserts, "It is prohibited at all times under the S1 Anabolic Agent section of the WADA Prohibited List."
According to New York State Commission directives, boxers competing within the state are required to undergo mandatory urine testing for substance screening.
A spokesperson for the New York State Athletic Commission issued the following statement to CNN: "The prioritization of safety, fairness, and integrity in professional athletic competitions is paramount. We're working closely with VADA to explore the matter."
CN has reached out to representatives for Garcia, Haney, and VADA for their input.
"It's disheartening Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by manipulating the rules and testing positive twice," Haney stated in a posted Instagram declaration.
Based on ESPN's report, Garcia's victory might be revoked if his B-sample test returns a positive result. Garcia holds ten days to formally request this second test.
Golden Boy Promotions, the agency representing Garcia, shared their stance, stating, "Ryan has repeatedly denied knowingly employing any prohibited substances – and we believe him."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
