Ryan Garcia was considered a heavy underdog in his fight against Devin Haney in Brooklyn, April 20. Despite this, Garcia managed to win by majority decision, handing the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss. The fight was originally supposed to be for the WBC super lightweight championship, but Garcia weighed in three pounds overweight, resulting in the belt not being up for grabs. However, the fight will still go down in the record books as a win for Garcia, although the victory could potentially be overturned if his positive drug test for ostarine, a banned substance, is confirmed.
Garcia denied taking any banned substances, claiming he has never taken a steroid in his life and barely takes supplements. Ostarine, while not a steroid, is known to stimulate muscle growth. Despite Garcia’s denial, UFC star Conor McGregor accused him of cheating and being juiced, advocating for a lifetime ban. McGregor had previously supported Garcia in his locker room after he lost to Gervonta “Tank” Davis, but it seems McGregor’s support has now ended due to the positive drug test.
The results of Garcia’s drug tests were not known until after the fight, according to ESPN. If the positive test is confirmed, Garcia’s victory could be overturned. Prior to the fight, Garcia and Haney had clashed at a press event at the Empire State Building, resulting in the cancellation of them throwing out the first pitch at a New York Mets game. Despite the controversies leading up to the fight, Garcia’s victory over Haney was significant, knocking him down three times and handing him his first loss as WBC super lightweight champion.
The bout between Garcia and Haney was filled with controversy, from the weight discrepancy to the positive drug test. McGregor’s support for Garcia seems to have waned due to the doping allegations, with the UFC star calling for a lifetime ban. Regardless of the outcome of the drug tests, Garcia’s victory over Haney remains a monumental moment in his career, solidifying his position in the super lightweight division. The rivalry between Garcia and Haney adds an extra layer of interest to the sport, showcasing the drama and intensity that come with professional boxing.
