Super lightweight boxing star Ryan Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in B-samples that were opened on the morning of Thursday, May 23. These tests were conducted before and immediately after his decision win over Devin Haney last month.
The results are therefore identical to the A-samples that confirmed the same findings on May 1. This is not surprising: both samples come from the very same test. With that being the case, only contamination could have led to a positive result, which is extremely rare.
"Ryan Garcia’s B sample results were returned Thursday [23 May] a.m., one day after being opened. I have the lab reports & the B samples, as expected, matched A samples — both are positive for the banned PED [performance-enhancing drug] ostarine related to VADA tests the day before & after Haney fight," said boxing writer Dan Rafael via X.
Garcia's upset win over Haney on April 20 sent shockwaves through the sporting world and looked set to see the Californian's star rise even further.
However, less than two weeks later, Garcia was sent crashing back to earth following a positive test.
MORE: Boxing, PEDs and failed drug tests, explained: Punishments for fighters who test positive
Ryan Garcia PEDs: Boxer returns positive anti-doping test
On May 1, Dan Rafael reported that the 25-year-old had returned two positive tests for the banned substance ostarine.
Rafael revealed the hard-hitting southpaw's urine tests from before and after the April 20 fight with Haney both came back positive for the substance.
BREAKING: Per multiple sources with knowledge of the results, Ryan Garcia tested positive for the banned PED Ostarine in a VADA test related to the Haney fight. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 2, 2024
Ryan Garcia has 10 days to ask for B sample to be tested at his own expense. So, not only blows weight by 3.2 pounds he also apparently was dirty for a PED and possible two. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 2, 2024
Garcia promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, have since confirmed the reports of the positive finding.
Prior to the fight, Garcia and Haney both signed up to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) program.
Ostarine, also known as enobosarm, is considered a prohibited substance by the New York State Athletic Commission.
If he's found guilty, Garcia's win would likely be overturned to a No Contest, while he could also face a suspension.
English boxer Amir Khan tested positive for the substance following his 2022 bout with Kell Brook and was hit with a two-year ban from UK Anti-Doping.
Ryan Garcia responds to PED report
The perennially online Garcia responded to the news almost immediately, starting a Spaces on X in which he denied any wrongdoing.
"You guys could see fake news, fake f—ing news," Garcia told listeners.
"Don’t believe these f—ers, bro, I never took a f—ing steroid in my f—ing life."
Garcia continued, questioning the timing of the news.
"Supposedly they had [the test results] already so why didn’t they release it?" he asked.
"They release it after I win? Makes no sense.
"I tested the day of the fight, nothing, then all of a sudden it came out.
"Bro, somebody paying somebody, this is definitely fake news, if they had this information they should have released it before the fight went down, because why would you let a cheater step into the ring?
"All of a sudden I win and then you release it? Seems kind of fishy to me."
Leading up to the fight, Garcia had made headlines for his unpredictable activity on social media, leading many to question whether he was in a fit mental state to fight.
The young star then missed weight by over three pounds, seeing him pay Haney $1.5 million as per a handshake agreement at the press conference.
Come fight night, Garcia sprung a massive surprise, dropping Haney three times on the way to a majority-decision victory in a performance which had fans wondering whether it was all an act.
In response to the reports of a failed drug test, he said he was going to "keep trolling."
"I know in my heart of hearts I didn’t cheat so I’m gonna keep trolling this s—t, this s—t is f—ing hilarious to me," he said.
"At the end of the day I’m definitely innocent, it’s just again, people hate on the truth, they hate on people that speak out.
"I’ve never cheated a day in my life, never have, never will, I don’t move like that.
"Even if a motherf—er was on steroids, you still got your ass handed to you."
Golden Boy Promotions also released a statement, backing their fighter.
"Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances — and we believe him," the statement read.
"We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process."
Devin Haney responds to Ryan Garcia doping reports
In a statement to ESPN, Haney responded to the news, slamming his opponent for reported wrongdoing.
"We learned about this situation not too long ago and 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 said.
"I've always been an advocate for clean fighting and this is an example of such Ryan owes the fans an apology, and by his recent tweet he still thinks this is a joke.
"We put our lives on the line to entertain people for a living. You don't play boxing. This puts the fight in a completely different light.
"Despite the disadvantage, I still fought on my shield and got back up!
"People die in this sport. This isn't a joking matter."
What is Ostarine?
Ostarine is a banned Performance Enhancing Drug, which is used by athletes to increase strength and muscle growth.
Classed as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), it binds to the body’s androgen receptors and stimulates muscle growth, making it commonly used by body-builders via dietary supplements.
While it operates in a similar fashion, SARM’s such as ostarine are not steroids, as they target specific parts of the human body, whereas steroids affect the entire body.
The drug is not FDA approved, meaning it is unsuitable for human consumption, and its use by athletes is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).