Boxer Ryan Garcia, who reportedly tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine prior to defeating Devin Haney on April 20, has formally requested that a B-sample be analyzed, according to an ESPN report Tuesday.
He faced a Saturday deadline to make the request after the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association notified Garcia of results they called “adverse” in the A-sample.
Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2008, is non-steroidal and supports muscle growth.
ESPN reported that Garcia’s A-sample also tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone, according to the VADA letter that was sent on May 1. That substance’s presence was unconfirmed pending further analysis.
Garcia, 25, knocked junior welterweight Haney to the canvas three times en route to winning a majority decision.
Via X, formerly Twitter, Garcia said on May 1: “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. Big lies … ”
Via Instagram, Haney did not hold back in his belief that Garcia is guilty.
“We learned about this situation not too long ago,” wrote Haney, “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.”
Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions supported its fighter Garcia in a statement following news of the first positive test.
“Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances — and we believe him,” the statement read. “We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process.”
If found to be in violation, Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) could face a suspension, fines and sanctions resulting in having the victory taken away. The second sample — created when urine samples are taken as a precaution against contamination or error — could clear him.
Haney, 25, isn’t counting on it.
“Whoever got caught doping and admitted it? I think (Garcia) would have been the first (athlete) in history,” Haney said Thursday on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “… As of right now, it wouldn’t be a (rematch) that I would entertain. This guy showed his character. He showed that he would do anything to win, including cheat. … He put my life in jeopardy. So now it’s deeper than boxing with me.”
–Field Level Media
