Harshad Patel
Ryan Garcia was not pleased with the latest news concerning his recent drug tests.
On Thursday, lab results reportedly came back on his B-sample collected for his fight against Devin Haney, with the sample testing positive for the banned substance ostarine.
Boxing reporter Dan Rafael revealed the results on Twitter after tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) before and after Garcia’s majority decision win over Haney on April 20.
The results coming back positive shouldn’t be surprising. It’s a rare instance when an A-sample and B-sample return different results, but this further confirms Garcia tested positive for the banned substance after it was previously reported on May 1.
Because Garcia fought Haney in Brooklyn, the next steps in any potential punishment could include a suspension, fines, or even having the result of the fight overturned. The verdict falls on the New York State Athletic Commission.
Haney’s team has already filed a letter with the commission requesting that Garcia be disqualified as a result of the positive drug test, with hopes that the loss would turn into a win for the previously undefeated boxer.
Typically, in cases of positive drug tests, athletic commissions may overturn a result, which means turning a loss into a no-contest.
Ostarine is classified as an anabolic agent and banned at all times for athletes. The drug has caused numerous positive tests in the UFC over the past few years with fighters such as Sean O’Malley, Marvin Vettori, and Nicco Montano all testing positive for the substance.
Initially, Garcia also tested positive for the 19-Norandrosterone metabolite, which suggested the presence of another banned substance nandrolone, but further analysis cleared Garcia of this infraction.
Garcia has vehemently denied any wrongdoing ever since the drug test results first went public. Shortly after the latest update, he responded defiantly to the news via a series of tweets that were later deleted.
Unfortunately, the positive drug test mars what was a career-defining moment for Garcia after he scored three knockdowns en route to a decision win over Haney.
There’s no word yet on when the New York State Athletic Commission might deal with Garcia’s positive test or what repercussions he could face as a result.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings