Ryan Garcia denies taking performance-enhancing steroids after positive test

In a shocking turn of events, rising boxing star Ryan Garcia has denied taking performance-enhancing steroids after testing positive for a banned substance before his win over Devin Haney. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) reported “adverse findings” in tests taken in April, just before Garcia’s upset victory over Haney.

Garcia, 25, vehemently denied the accusations, stating, “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, I beat him.” The boxer now has 10 days to request for his B sample to be tested to confirm the results.

Ostarine, the banned substance in question, is a non-steroidal compound used to support muscle growth and has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list since 2008. The WBC, which oversees the boxing program, requires all fighters to enroll in its ‘clean boxing program’ and undergo drug testing.

Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia’s promoters, have stated they will investigate how this finding came to be and expressed their belief in Garcia’s innocence. However, Devin Haney, Garcia’s opponent in the bout, expressed disappointment and called out Garcia for disrespecting the sport and the fans by allegedly fighting dirty.

This incident has put a shadow over Garcia’s impressive victory over Haney, where he floored his opponent three times but failed to win the WBC light-welterweight title due to missing weight for the contest. The boxing world now waits to see the outcome of Garcia’s B sample test and the repercussions of this doping scandal on his career.