Boxing Sensation Ryan Garcia Faces Doping Allegations Ahead of Stunning Upset
In a shocking turn of events, rising boxing star Ryan Garcia, who recently pulled off a stunning upset over Devin Haney, has been embroiled in a doping controversy. According to a letter obtained by ESPN from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance ostarine in a pre-fight sample collection.
The news of the positive test was first reported by journalist Dan Rafael, who also revealed that Garcia’s sample screened positive for 19-norandrosterone. Garcia, however, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating on X, formerly Twitter, “Everybody knows that I don’t cheat. What can I say? Why didn’t they come out with this before the fight if they found it before? Why would they let me step into the ring as a cheater, and then come out with the victory and then post this? These are people that are trying to attack me for whatever reason.”
“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.” – Devin Haney
The letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association indicates that the urine samples were collected prior to the fight, but the results weren’t known until later. Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions has stated that they believe Garcia didn’t knowingly use any banned substance.
Devin Haney, the defeated champion, expressed his disappointment, saying, “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.” Haney emphasized that boxers put their lives on the line to entertain the fans, and this development casts the fight in a completely different light.
The result of the fight could be overturned if Garcia’s B-sample, the secondary urine or blood sample used to confirm or invalidate the initial findings, returns a negative result. Garcia has 10 days to request for the B-sample to be tested.
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