Ryan Garcia‘s victory over Devin Haney was tainted post-fight when it was revealed he had failed two tests for banned substance Ostarine.
Garcia dropped the champion three times during the bout to win a majority decision, but was ineligible to take the belt due to coming in 3 pounds overweight.
The news on his failed doping tests from one Voluntary Anti-Doping test on the day before the fight and another on the day of came ten days later, and Garcia immediately claimed corruption and/or contamination.
The WBC has now released a statement confirmed the process for testing the B-Sample, which was also positive.
“As it has been widely publicised around the world, the contents of Ryan Garcia’s “A” and “B” sample containers collected on April 19, and April 20, 2024, yielded adverse analytical findings for Ostarine. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (“SARM”). Ostarine and all SARMs are banned substances at all times under the WBC Clean Boxing Program.
Upon receiving the notification of the Adverse Findings, the WBC immediately started its Results Management Process under the governing WBC CBP’s Testing and Results Management Guidelines. Under that process, the WBC notified Mr. Garcia of the adverse findings, provided him with information about his right to witness the opening of the “B” sample container, and to have the contents of the “B” sample container tested. The “B” sample containers’ contents also yielded adverse analytical findings for Ostarine.”
The sanctioning body expects Garcia to provide information to form a case for innocence by the end of this month.
“In addition, the WBC’s Result Management Unit’s notification to Mr. Garcia requested available information and/or documents to assist the Unit’s determination of the circumstances leading or reasonably related to the adverse findings. The WBC Results Management Unit anticipates receiving the available information requested toward the end of June.
In the meantime, the WBC has continued to investigate the pharmacological characteristics of Ostarine, the details of the tests’ results that led to the adverse findings, and any other explanation that might relate to the adverse findings.
The WBC will continue to provide updates of the process it is undertaking as additional information becomes available.”
The New York State Athletic Commission will be conducting its own investigation. In the meantime, Garcia has continued to call out fighters, including Jake Paul.
