Ryan Garcia denies using performance-enhancing drugs

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Ryan Garcia finally responded regarding his positive result for performance-enhancing drug (PED) confirmed on May 2, 2024.

In a social media video posted by Garcia, the boxing superstar denied any claims that he is using PEDs and other varieties of steroids.

“Everybody knows that I don’t cheat. Never taken a steroid. I don’t even know where to get steroids. I barely take supplements. Big lies,” Garcia said in his video.

According to a report published by Boxing News 24, Garcia also confirmed that his first four tests with the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) turned out to be negative.

It was only on the day before the fight and during the fight that VADA’s tests put out positive results, an outcome that Garcia thought was something “fishy”.

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.

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.