Star boxer Ryan Garcia’s B-sample tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine on Thursday, according to a report by the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory.
Garcia’s A-sample, which was collected the day before his unexpected win over Devin Haney last month, also tested positive for ostarine on May 1. Ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) helps enhance performance by promoting muscle growth. Fat loss, endurance, and recovery. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned Ostarine since 2008, and it was classified as an anabolic agent in 2022. WADA rules require urine samples to be divided into A and B bottles to prevent laboratory errors.
“I don’t know where [the positive test] came from,” Garcia said before attending Alexander Ussak’s heavyweight title win over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. “Honestly, brother, I do not take. I was taking ashwagandha, D-3, omega-3, just normal things. I don’t know what the f— [Ostarine] is. … I don’t really have an idea. I will tell everyone the truth.
“My whole point is that I would rather speak the truth than try to concoct with lies. Because lies don’t last forever. So if I really accepted it, I’m going through a weird situation, to be honest.”I wasn’t really sure. I decided to take it. I’m sorry, but I didn’t do that and I hate cheating. All I can say is help me figure it out.”
Darin Chavez, part of Garcia’s legal team, said a formal hearing with the New York State Athletic Commission would be scheduled to “clear Garcia of any wrongdoing.”
“Immediately after being notified of his positive test, Ryan voluntarily collected his hair and sent it to Dr. Pascual Kintz, a leading expert in toxicology and hair-sample analysis,” Chavez said.The results of Ryan’s hair samples were negative. … We are sure that one of the natural supplements that Ryan was using before the fight will prove to be contaminated. We are in the process of testing the supplements to determine the exact source. “
The commission issued a statement Thursday saying the case is still under review.
“The Commission strictly prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs and works rigorously to uphold the integrity of sport and maintain equal opportunities,” the statement said.”Where violations are found, the commission will take action.”
If Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) and his team can prove supplemental contamination, the 25-year-old could be exonerated. Otherwise, he will face suspension of his boxing license and a fine.
Garcia, who beat Haney three times in a majority-decision victory, criticized Haney’s sports nutritionist and performance consultant Victor Conte.
“This man who is defending Devin Haney is the greatest cheater in sports history.”You can’t do that.Conte, the founder of Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO), served a prison sentence for distributing performance-enhancing drugs before founding sports nutrition company SNAC.
“Ryan Garcia has called me a lot of horrible names recently.However, the scientific procedure was upheld and both his urine B-samples came positive for Ostarine. The strict liability rule will now apply and he will likely be fined and suspended from boxing. I hope that Ryan’s behavior will serve as an example How not to act in a time of uncertainty regarding pending drug test results… The world of boxing deserves respect as a sport.”
Ostarine has been an issue in boxing before. Lucien Bute tested positive for it after a draw with Badou Jack in a WBC super middleweight title fight in 2016, resulting in Jack being disqualified. Amir Khan received a two-year ban from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after testing positive for Ostarine following his sixth-round TKO loss to Kell Brook in 2022.
“It’s been tough,” Garcia said.”I know I’m talking about myself, but in private it’s making me a little sad and I’m sad and I feel like crying. I still feel like crying because it’s exactly like they’re taking my biggest win. But then, leave it in God’s hands. … At the end of the day, I feel like I’m trying to fight for my innocence every day What they are doing and how it turned out to be positive a day before and a day after.”
“I know I will find a way to fight,” Garcia said of the possible suspension.”If I had to go to another country to fight, I would go… I just want to be in the ring. I’m at my peak. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling strong.”