Ryan Garcia Handed One-Year Ban for Failing Drugs Test.
Boxer Ryan Garcia has been issued a one-year ban by the New York State Athletic Commission after failing a drugs test. The 25-year-old tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in two separate tests taken prior to his fight with Devin Haney on 20 April.
As a result of the failed tests, Garcia’s victory over Haney will be recorded as a no-contest, restoring Haney’s undefeated record. In addition to the ban, Garcia must forfeit his £950,000 ($1.2 million) purse from the Haney fight and pay a £7,900 ($10,000) fine. (Reports BBC)
Garcia has denied knowingly taking the substance, attributing the positive test to “contamination” from a tainted supplement. On 19 June, Garcia announced his retirement on social media platform X. In response to the ban, he stated: “I was already retired so I’ll just come back out of retirement for a year,” adding, “I never cheated.”
Garcia, who has just one defeat in his 25-fight career—a 2023 loss to Gervonta Davis—is regarded as one of the biggest stars in American boxing.
The annulled victory over Haney, which took place in New York, saw Garcia winning on points despite missing weight before the contest. Haney, whose record now returns to 31 victories in 31 fights, expressed his gratitude to the commission on X: “Thank you to the commission for doing the right thing and making the right decision. I’m happy it wasn’t a DQ [disqualification] because I wouldn’t want to win like that. Once this suspension is over, Garcia let’s run it back. Clean on an even playing field. Biggest fight [in] boxing.”
Ostarine, a non-steroidal drug used to support muscle growth, has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list since 2008.
