Boxer Ryan Garcia faces doping allegations

MEXICO CITY: Boxer Ryan Garcia faces doping allegations after testing positive for ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing drug on Friday.

Garcia has denied any deliberate use of performance-enhancing drugs and attributed the positive test to contamination from a “tainted supplement”.

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The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) conducted the positive tests before Garcia’s recent fight against Devin Haney on April 20, where he defeated his opponent despite missing weight.

The association disclosed the positive tests after the fight. Ryan Garcia was quick to request a “B-sample testing”. A “B-sample testing” involves analysing a secondary sample to confirm or contest the findings of the initial test. This ensures the accuracy of doping tests by verifying the results through a second analysis.

In response, Garcia’s legal team said the boxer was committed to “fair competition”. His legal team cited the boxer’s history of negative test results throughout his career.

They are awaiting hair sample analysis results to support their defense and explore the possibility of supplement contamination.

Ostarine, the substance detected in Garcia’s tests, is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency due to its muscle growth-supporting properties. The New York State Athletic Commission, which sanctioned the fight against Haney, is now reviewing Garcia’s case to determine appropriate action..

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Meanwhile, the decision regarding Garcia’s case, whether to declare the fight a no-contest or issue a suspension, is pending further investigation.