Boxing superstar Ryan Garcia received his punishment after positive tests for the use of performance-enhancing drugs by the New York State Athletic Commission.
The 25-year-old boxer reached an agreement with the commission, which resulted in a one-year suspension, a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture of his $1.2 million purse from his April fight against Devin Haney. His knockout win over Haney has been changed to a no-contest.
Haney will return to an undefeated record, and Garcia will return to his 24-1 record. Garcia shared a tweet with a photo of his fight with Haney, captioned: “F*ck You Cry Baby B*tch.”
Haney would release a statement after the news broke of Garcia’s suspension. On Thursday (June 20), he told ESPN, “I want to thank the commission and the fans who stood by me during this whole process. The facts are the facts, and I wasn’t on an even playing field. Happy I was able to receive justice for what happened. It’s all part of my story and it’s only going to make me better. I look to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what’s next.”
Haney added: “I’m a clean athlete and boxing is a brutal sport where one fight can literally change your life. I think it important for fighters to be clean and I want to become an advocate for clean athletes for my experience in this situation.”
Garcia’s positive tests included traces of Ostarine. The androgen receptor modulator that binds to proteins in the body and instructs muscles to grow was detected in his pre and post-fight tests.
Garcia’s team issued an official statement on Thursday, maintaining the boxer’s innocence regarding knowingly taking performance-enhancement supplements. The statement reads:
“Ryan, with his legal team, has resolved this issue and firmly maintains his truth: he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature. … The fans will always remember his performance against Haney as a masterclass, and that will never be erased.”
NYSAC released a statement after Garcia’s suspension went public. The commission reinstated their determination to provide the utmost protection for boxing and boxers.
“The commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” said NYSAC.
The commission stated that Ryan Garcia will be reinstated on April 20, 2025, pending a clear urine test for banned substances, following a settlement to accept punishment and avoid a hearing.