The recent bout between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney was marked by controversy both before and after the fight.
Held on April 20, 2024, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the fight saw Garcia knock Haney down three times, leading to a majority decision victory. However, the triumph has since been overshadowed by reports of Garcia testing positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug (PED) ostarine.
The controversy began when Garcia missed weight by over three pounds, making him ineligible to claim Haney’s WBC super lightweight title. Despite this setback, Garcia proceeded to fight and secure a victory, only for reports to emerge that he had tested positive for ostarine in tests conducted on April 19 and post-fight on April 20. Garcia’s team, including his attorney, has contested these results, pointing out that the amount detected could not have had any performance-enhancing effects. They also criticized the timing of the report’s release, suggesting a possible conspiracy.
Garcia has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “fake news” and asserting that he has never taken steroids. His promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, has expressed support for Garcia, indicating they are working to determine how the banned substance entered his system. Haney’s camp, understandably upset, has accused Garcia of cheating and disrespecting the sport.
The saga continues as the boxing world awaits the results of the B-sample test, which could further clarify the situation. If the B-sample also tests positive, Garcia could face significant sanctions, including a possible ban from the sport.
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