Rising boxing star Ryan Garcia has found himself in hot water after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine before and after his recent victory over Devin Haney. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (Vada) sent a letter to both Garcia and Haney informing them of the failed drug test.
Garcia now has 10 days to request that his B-sample be tested, as his A-sample also showed traces of 19-norandrosterone, another banned substance. While ostarine is considered a safer alternative to traditional steroids, it is still on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances.
In a video posted on social media, Garcia adamantly denied taking any illegal substances, claiming that he had no knowledge of how the banned substances got into his system. However, Haney expressed disappointment in Garcia’s actions, labeling it as cheating and a sign of disrespect to the sport.
This is not the first time that ostarine has caused controversy in boxing, with British fighter Amir Khan facing a suspension in 2022 due to a similar situation. The fight result between Garcia and Haney may be overturned to a no-contest if the drug test results are confirmed, casting a shadow over Garcia’s recent triumph in the ring.
Garcia’s future in the sport now hangs in the balance as he navigates the fallout from this failed drug test. Stay tuned to White Houser for updates on this developing story.
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