Golden Boy Promotions issued a resolute statement on Thursday, standing by boxer Ryan Garcia in the wake of reports alleging that he tested positive for a banned substance before his recent victory over Devin Haney.
In their statement, Golden Boy Promotions expressed unwavering support for Garcia, citing his repeated denials of knowingly using any banned substances. They pledged to collaborate with Garcia’s team to investigate the matter thoroughly before taking further action.
The reported positive test, revealed by ESPN and attributed to the performance-enhancing substance Ostarine, allegedly occurred on the eve of Garcia’s bout with Haney on April 20. Ostarine, banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, can enhance muscle growth and is strictly prohibited in sports.
VADA, responsible for overseeing drug testing in boxing and mixed martial arts, has yet to comment on the matter. The results of the test were only disclosed after the fight took place.
Despite the doping allegations, Garcia delivered a dominant performance against Haney, securing a majority decision victory. However, Garcia was unable to claim the WBC super lightweight title due to missing the weight limit.
In response to the allegations, Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing in a video statement, asserting that he has never used steroids and expressing confusion over the situation.
The outcome of Garcia’s victory hangs in the balance pending confirmation of the positive drug test. Devin Haney, Garcia’s opponent, took to social media to express his disappointment and call for accountability, emphasizing the importance of fair competition in boxing.
As the investigation unfolds, the boxing world awaits further developments, with Garcia’s future in the sport potentially at stake.
Credit: Yahoo Sport
