By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Ryan Garcia’s massive boxing victory over Devin Haney will now be in big question after the flamboyant fighter tested positive for a performance enhancing drug (PED) confirmed on May 2, 2024.
According to multiple reports, Garcia tested positive for a PED called ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator that attaches to proteins in the body.
Furthermore, ostarine is primarily used by athletes for muscle growth and is also utilized to build muscle mass, enhance the rate of fat loss, and increase stamina.
It was the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) who conducted the drug testing, on the day and the day before his fight against Haney.
As per ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, Garcia and his camp will have 10 days to do their counter move and they can also request for his B-sample to validate further results.
Last April 21, 2024, Garcia stunned the boxing world after handing Haney his first-ever professional boxing loss.
He did it in spectacular fashion, knocking Haney down three times while also looking slick inside the ring with his unique power punch combinations.
Garcia earned a majority decision victory over Haney after two judges scored it 114-110, 115-109, while the other scored a tie, 112-112.
Despite grabbing the win, Garcia was still ineligible to snatch Haney’s WBC super lightweight belt after he missed the targeted weight.
With the win, Garcia just improved his record to 25 wins, 20 knockouts, and a loss, while Haney dropped to 31 wins, 15 knockouts, and a loss.
