Boxing sensation Ryan Garcia has vehemently denied allegations of doping after reports surfaced claiming he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine before his recent victory over Devin Haney.
ESPN revealed that it had obtained a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) indicating Garcia’s positive test result for ostarine, allegedly conducted on the eve of and the day of his triumph over Haney in April.
Disputing the accusations, Garcia, 25, stated, “Everybody knows that I don’t cheat.” He asserted his innocence, claiming ignorance of steroid use and minimal reliance on supplements. Garcia, who floored Haney three times in the bout, categorically denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as “big lies.”
As per anti-doping protocols, Garcia has a window of 10 days to request testing of his B sample to corroborate the initial findings.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has long listed ostarine as a prohibited substance due to its potential to enhance muscle growth, highlighting the severity of the allegations against Garcia.
In response to the controversy, Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia’s promoters, expressed support for the boxer, affirming their belief in his innocence while pledging to investigate the circumstances surrounding the positive test.
Devin Haney, Garcia’s opponent, condemned the alleged doping violation, stating that it casts a shadow over their bout and disrespects both fans and the sport of boxing. Haney called for accountability from Garcia, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for an apology to the fans.
The development evokes memories of British boxer Amir Khan’s two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping for a similar violation involving ostarine in 2022, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities address such infractions in the sport of boxing.
