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Ryan Garcia’s recent victory over Devin Haney has been overshadowed by controversy after the revelation of his positive drug tests for ostarine, a banned substance. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) confirmed Garcia's positive results from both pre and post-fight tests, sparking a heated response from the boxer.
In response to the news, Garcia vehemently denied any use of performance-enhancing drugs, labeling the reports as "fake news." He questioned the timing of the revelation, suggesting that it was suspicious to release the information after his victory. Garcia expressed his confidence in his innocence, stating,
"I know in my heart of hearts I didn’t cheat."
Despite Garcia's denial, the positive tests raise serious questions about the integrity of the fight and its outcome. Garcia's victory over Haney could potentially be overturned into a no-contest, pending further investigation and analysis of his B samples.
The presence of ostarine, a banned selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), is particularly concerning given its association with tainted supplement cases in the past. Additionally, Garcia's pending analysis for 19-Norandrosterone further complicates the situation.
Garcia's response, both verbally and on social media, underscores the seriousness of the allegations and his determination to prove his innocence. However, the implications of the positive drug tests extend beyond his reputation, potentially affecting his career with fines, suspensions, and the reversal of his recent victory.
As the boxing world awaits the outcome of Garcia's B sample testing and the subsequent decisions from regulatory bodies, the controversy surrounding Garcia vs. Haney serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of doping in sports and the importance of rigorous testing protocols to ensure fair competition.