Golden Boy Promotions issued a statement expressing support for boxer Ryan Garcia following reports of a positive test for a banned substance before his recent fight against Devin Haney. The statement affirmed their belief in Garcia's denial of knowingly using any prohibited substances and stated their commitment to investigating the matter further in collaboration with his team.
According to ESPN, Garcia allegedly tested positive for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing substance, on the day before and the day of the fight. Ostarine, classified as a selective androgen receptor modulator, is known to promote muscle growth and is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The results of the test were disclosed after the fight.
VADA, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association responsible for overseeing drug testing in combat sports, has not yet commented on the situation. Athletes subject to VADA testing are required to undergo unannounced tests within eight weeks of a scheduled bout, with WADA conducting the tests on VADA's behalf.
Garcia emerged victorious over Haney in their bout, securing a majority decision and knocking Haney down three times. However, Garcia was unable to claim the WBC super lightweight title due to exceeding the weight limit.
In response to the allegations, Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing in a video statement, asserting his lack of familiarity with steroids and minimal use of supplements. The potential overturning of Garcia's victory looms pending confirmation of the positive drug test.
Meanwhile, Haney expressed disappointment over the situation, accusing Garcia of cheating and disrespecting the sport and its fans. Haney emphasized his advocacy for clean competition and called for Garcia to apologize to the fans. Garcia's response on social media indicated a lack of remorse, further fueling the controversy surrounding the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the boxing community awaits further developments to shed light on the implications of Garcia's alleged doping violation.
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