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Ryan Garcia’s recent victory over Devin Haney is now overshadowed by controversy following his latest drug test results.
On Thursday, lab results reportedly confirmed that Garcia’s B-sample, collected for his fight against Haney, tested positive for the banned substance ostarine. Renowned boxing reporter Dan Rafael broke the news on Twitter after tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) confirmed the presence of the substance.
Ostarine is an anabolic agent banned at all times for athletes due to its performance-enhancing effects. The positive B-sample result further substantiates the initial findings from Garcia’s A-sample, which had already tested positive. It is rare for A-sample and B-sample results to differ, making this confirmation expected yet troubling for Garcia.
Garcia’s bout against Haney took place in Brooklyn, placing the decision on potential penalties in the hands of the New York State Athletic Commission. Consequences for Garcia could include suspension, fines, or even the overturning of his majority decision win. Haney’s team has preemptively filed a letter with the commission, requesting Garcia’s disqualification and hoping to convert Haney’s loss into a victory or, at the very least, a no-contest.
The banned substance ostarine has been a notable cause of positive tests across various sports, including the UFC, with fighters such as Sean O’Malley, Marvin Vettori, and Nicco Montano previously testing positive. Although Garcia was initially flagged for the 19-Norandrosterone metabolite, suggesting the presence of nandrolone, further analysis cleared him of this specific infraction.
Despite the controversy, Garcia has consistently denied any wrongdoing. After the B-sample results went public, Garcia responded defiantly through a series of tweets, which were later deleted. His vehement denial underscores the tension surrounding the situation.
The positive drug test taints what was otherwise a career-defining moment for Garcia. His performance against Haney, which included three knockdowns, was lauded by many and marked a significant achievement in his boxing career. However, the doping allegations cast a shadow over this accomplishment.
There is no word yet on when the New York State Athletic Commission will address Garcia’s positive test or what specific repercussions he might face. The boxing community awaits further developments as Garcia’s situation unfolds.
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