Boxer Ryan Garcia Suspended For 1 Year After Testing Positive For The Performance Enhancing Drug Ostarine

Boxer Ryan Garcia Suspended For 1 Year After Testing Positive For The Performance Enhancing Drug Ostarine

Update (June 21, 2024): Boxer Ryan Garcia is officially suspended for one year after he reached an agreement with the New York State Athletic Commission. The decision comes after Ryan Garcia tested positive for ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug, the commission said Thursday (June 20).

It dates back to the 25-year-old’s infamous victory against fellow boxer Devin Haney on April 20, so the win has been changed to a no-contest.

Under the settlement, Ryan Garcia will forfeit his purse, which was about $1.2 million. However, it was noted that his guaranteed earnings surpassed that and was well into the millions. He was also fined $10,000 by the commission.

Garcia will be reinstated in April 2025 if his urine test comes back clean and drug-free.

The athlete, who announced his retirement from the sport just hours before the ban, reacted to the news in a series of messages via X (formerly Twitter).

He in part wrote,

“They took my victory away”

He later added that he’ll “come out of retirement” once the suspension is up.

He then denied ever cheating, and called Devin Haney a “crybaby b*tch.”

He also claimed he was “heading to the UFC” next.

He went on to reiterate he never used PEDs and said his money should be returned since the fight never technically happened.

He also called out Devin Haney again and reposted Haney’s video of him dancing amid the ban.

Meanwhile, Garcia’s team issued an official statement and said, according to USA Today, 

“For many years, Ryan has voluntarily submitted to random testing, even during out-of-competition periods, and has never had any issues. He has maintained an impeccable and clean record throughout his career, significantly elevating and transcending the sport of boxing, earning respect and admiration from millions of fans worldwide.’’

It later teased that he will be “back in the ring.”

See the full statement, which Garcia shared on X, below.

Statement from Ryan Garcia’s team following his one-year ban from boxing: “The fans will always remember his performance against Devin Haney as a masterclass, and that will never be erased.” pic.twitter.com/HBRbzb49vG

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) June 20, 2024

Devin Haney also released a statement.

“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.”

He continued,

“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.”

What are your thoughts on Ryan Garcia’s suspension and reaction? Comment and let us know.