Ryan Garcia was the unexpected victor in his recent fight against Devin Haney, despite being considered a heavy underdog. The fight took place in Brooklyn on April 20, where Garcia secured a majority decision win over Haney. Originally scheduled as a bout for the WBC super lightweight championship, the fight took a turn when Garcia weighed in three pounds over the limit, resulting in the belt not being on the line.
However, the aftermath of the fight has been marred by controversy as Garcia tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance categorized as a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). This revelation came to light both the day before and the day of the fight. Garcia vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that he has never used steroids and has minimal experience with supplements.
Notably, MMA star Conor McGregor has expressed skepticism regarding Garcia's claims of innocence and has called for severe consequences, advocating for a lifetime ban due to the alleged rule violations. McGregor's stance on the matter has shifted, as he previously supported Garcia following his defeat to Gervonta 'Tank' Davis last year.
The positive drug test results were disclosed post-fight, raising the possibility of Garcia's victory being nullified if the findings are substantiated. Despite the controversy, Garcia's performance in the ring was impressive, with three knockdowns of Haney leading to the latter's first defeat as the WBC super lightweight champion.
Prior to the fight, tensions between the two fighters escalated during a press event at the Empire State Building, culminating in an altercation. This incident also reportedly led to the cancellation of their planned participation in throwing out the first pitch at a New York Mets game on the same evening.
