Ryan Garcia has protested his innocence after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said the American boxer had produced “adverse results” in a doping test before his surprise victory over Devin Haney last month.
Garcia knocked down Haney three times en route to a surprise majority decision victory on April 20, although he had already missed the chance to capture his countryman’s WBC light welterweight title because he did not make the required weight class for the fight.
Now ESPN is reporting that the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has informed everyone involved that Garcia failed tests for the banned substance Ostarine, which can be used to increase muscle mass and endurance. The samples were allegedly taken the day before and the day of his victory over Haney.
Sulaiman wrote on X: “The WBC has just received notification from Vada-Testing of negative test results for Ryan Garcia in connection with his fight against Haney.
“Due process will begin immediately according to the WBC Clean Boxing Program protocol. Further information to follow.”
Garcia, who improved his professional record to 25 wins in 26 fights with his victory over Haney, denied taking performance-enhancing substances on social media. He has ten days to appeal the verdict.
In a video posted on his X account, Garcia said, “Everyone knows I don’t cheat. I’ve never taken steroids – I don’t even know where to get steroids at the end of the day. I barely take supplements.”
Garcia, 25, then posted another series of tweets seemingly making light of the situation, which drew criticism from Haney.
In a statement, Haney, 25, said: “It is unfortunate that Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting unfairly and breaking out positively not once, but twice.”
“Ryan owes the fans an apology and in his recent tweet he still thinks the whole thing is a joke. We put our lives on the line to entertain people and make a living. Boxing is not a game.”
“It puts the fight in a completely different light. Despite the disadvantage, I fought on my shield and got back up. People die in this sport. This is no joke.”
The PA news agency has asked VADA for comment.
