Kosport Magazine: Ryan Garcia Tests Positive for Banned Substance Before Victory Over Devin Haney
LAS VEGAS – In a shocking turn of events, rising boxing star Ryan Garcia has tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance known as ostarine. The test was conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on the day of and the day before Garcia’s highly anticipated fight against Devin Haney last month in New York.
According to sources, a second substance, 19-norandrosterone, also screened positive and is currently being confirmed through Carbon Isotope Ratio testing. This news was first reported by boxing writer Dan Rafael.
Typically, test results require a 72-hour processing window if done on a rushed basis, according to a doping expert. This raises questions about how Garcia was able to compete and win against Haney while under the influence of a banned substance.
Garcia, who won a surprise majority decision victory over WBC lightweight champion Haney, was unable to claim the title due to being 3.2 pounds overweight for the 140-pound bout. This was a result of a turbulent training camp where Garcia made headlines for his bizarre social media posts and admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana.
In response to the PED report, Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia’s representation, released a statement saying, “Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances – and we believe him. We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process.”
Victor Conte, founder of BALCO and now a special advisor and spokesman for Haney, was alerted of Garcia’s positive test by a Haney attorney who had seen the VADA report. Conte then shared the news with Devin Haney and his father-trainer Bill Haney.
Devin Haney asked Conte about the effects of the substances and was told that they both have anabolic effects and are considered performance-enhancing. Conte explained that 19-norandrosterone is a metabolite of nandrolone, an anabolic steroid known as “deca” and nicknamed the “kiss of death” due to its long-lasting presence in the body.
Ostarine, on the other hand, is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) that is often touted as a safer alternative to steroids. However, Conte warns that for tested athletes, it is still risky to take anything other than over-the-counter supplements from reputable stores.
This is not the first time a high-profile boxer has tested positive for ostarine. Former super middleweight titleholder Lucian Bute was caught using the substance after a 2016 draw against Badou Jack and was ultimately fined and suspended.
As the news of Garcia’s positive test continues to shake up the boxing world, Haney was told by Conte, “I thought this fight already turned the world of boxing upside down. It’s getting even more crazy now.”
Kosport Magazine Summary:
In a shocking turn of events, rising boxing star Ryan Garcia has tested positive for a banned substance known as ostarine. The test was conducted by VADA on the day of and the day before his fight against Devin Haney last month. This news has raised questions about how Garcia was able to compete and win while under the influence of a banned substance. Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia’s representation, has released a statement denying any knowledge of the substance and promising to investigate further. This is not the first time a high-profile boxer has tested positive for ostarine, and the news has caused even more chaos in the already tumultuous world of boxing.
