Ryan Garcia’s B-sample positive for banned substance
By Eddie Sanchez
Star boxer Ryan Garcia’s B-sample tested positive for the banned substance ostarine on Thursday, according to a report from the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, as seen by ESPN.
The A-sample, collected the day before and the day of his upset win over Devin Haney last month, also tested positive for ostarine on May 1.
Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that attaches to proteins in the body, promoting muscle growth. It aids performance by helping athletes build muscle mass, enhance fat loss, and improve stamina and recovery. Ostarine has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list since 2008 and was classified as an anabolic agent by WADA in 2022. WADA’s rules require that urine samples be split into A and B bottles to prevent lab errors.
“I don’t know where [the adverse finding] came from,” Garcia told ESPN on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before attending Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title win over Tyson Fury. “Honestly, bro, I don’t. I was taking ashwagandha, D-3, Omega-3, just normal stuff. I don’t know what ostarine is. … I have seriously no idea. I would tell everybody the truth.
“My whole thing is I’d rather tell the truth than try to fabricate it with a lie. Because lies don’t stand. So if I really did take it, I would be like, honestly, I was going through a weird situation. I wasn’t really that confident. I chose to take it. I’m sorry. And that’s it. But I didn’t, and I hate cheating. … All I can say is legal team, help me figure this out.”
Darin Chavez, a member of Garcia’s legal team, told ESPN a formal hearing with the New York State Athletic Commission will be scheduled to clear Garcia of any wrongdoing.
“Soon after being notified of his positive test, Ryan voluntarily had his hair collected and sent to Dr. Pascal Kintz, a leading expert in toxicology and hair-sample analysis,” Chavez said. “The results of Ryan’s hair sample came back negative. … We are certain that one of the natural supplements Ryan was using before the fight will be found to be contaminated. We are currently testing the supplements to determine the exact source.”
The commission issued a statement on Thursday saying the matter is still under review.
“The Commission strictly prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs and works vigorously to uphold the integrity of the sport and maintain a level playing field,” the statement said. “Where violations are found, the Commission will take action.”
If Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) and his team can prove supplement contamination, the 25-year-old could be cleared. Otherwise, he faces suspension of his boxing license and fines.
Garcia, who knocked Haney down three times in the majority-decision win, lashed out at Victor Conte, who works with Haney as a sports nutritionist and performance adviser.
“This guy defending Devin Haney is the biggest cheater in sports history,” Garcia said. “You can’t make this up.” Conte, the founder of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), served time in prison for distributing performance-enhancing drugs before founding SNAC, a sports nutrition company.
“Ryan Garcia has called me lots of horrible names recently,” Conte told ESPN. “However, the scientific process was upheld, and both of his urine B-samples tested positive for ostarine. The strict liability rule will now apply, and he will likely be fined and suspended from boxing. I hope Ryan’s behavior will serve as an example of how not to act in times of uncertainty regarding pending drug testing results. … The world of boxing deserves to be respected as a sport.”
Ostarine has been a factor in boxing before. Lucian Bute tested positive for it in 2016 after a draw with Badou Jack in their WBC super middleweight title fight, leading to a disqualification win for Jack. Amir Khan received a two-year ban from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after testing positive for ostarine following his loss to Kell Brook in 2022.
“It’s been tough,” Garcia said. “I know I’ve been talking a lot, but it’s been hurting me, and I’ve been sad and feel like crying. I even feel like crying right now because they’re taking my greatest victory away. But again, leave it in God’s hands. … At the end of the day, I just feel like I try to fight for my innocence every day. I’ve been giving them the facts about how it ended up being positive the day before and the day after.”
“I know I will find a way to fight,” Garcia added regarding a possible suspension. “If I have to go to a different country to fight, I will. … I just want to be in the ring. I’m in my prime. I feel good. I feel strong.”
