Reports have emerged stating that Ryan Garcia tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) following his recent win over Devin Haney. The 25-year-old boxer delivered an upset victory over Haney at Barclays Center, knocking him down three times over 12 intense rounds, marking a significant milestone in his career. However, boxing journalist Dan Rafael revealed that Garcia tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine in tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) before and after the fight.
Garcia reportedly failed urine sample tests for Ostarine on both occasions. There’s also an unconfirmed positive result for 19-norandrosterone, according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger. Garcia now has the option to request testing of his B-sample within 10 days, which he would need to pay for himself.
Responding to the allegations on social media, Garcia vehemently denied cheating, dismissing the reports as “fake news.” He questioned why the news emerged after his victory and suggested it was an attack against him. Garcia further expressed his innocence, stating, “I’ve never taken a steroid in my life.”
In a series of posts, Garcia continued to push back against the accusations, insinuating that the timing of the news was suspicious, particularly after being seen with Donald Trump. Despite the controversy, he asserted that no one could take away his victory over Haney and declared he wouldn’t entertain a rematch.
During a live stream on social media, Garcia and his friends reiterated his innocence, with Garcia claiming ignorance about steroids and receiving support from his friends. However, the session was abruptly ended after just four minutes.
Prior to the fight, Garcia had to pay a significant sum to Haney due to weighing in over the limit. Outside the ring, Garcia has been making headlines for his personal life, including divorcing his son’s mother, proposing to an Australian porn star, and being spotted with various women, including TikTok star Grace Boor and influencer Alexa Dellanos.