Ryan Garcia’s B-sample from the star boxer was rejected due to an adverse result for the prohibited drug Ostarine.
By Mike Coppinger
May 23, 2024 05:57 PM
Star boxer Ryan Garcia’s B-sample returned an adverse finding for the banned substance ostarine on Thursday, per a Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory report viewed by ESPN.
The A-sample, taken the day prior to and the day before his shocking victory against Devin Haney last month, found an inconclusive result for ostarine on May 1.
Ostarine is a specific androgen receptor modifier (SARM) that binds to the proteins of the body. It effectively sends communicates to muscles to grow. It aids in performance by assisting athletes to build muscles and increase the rate of fat loss and enhance stamina and recover ability.
Ostarine is on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list since 2008, and in 2022, it was designated an anabolic substance by WADA The rules of WADA require that, when urine samples are taken and analyzed, they must be divided into B and A bottles to guard against laboratory errors.
“I don’t know where [the adverse finding] came from,” Garcia said to ESPN the following day at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just hours before he sat at the ring for Oleksandr Usyk’s title fight against Tyson Fury. “Honestly me, bro, I don’t know. I took ashwagandha, Omega-3, D-3, and simply normal s. —. I’m not sure which fOmega-3 was. … The truth is, I don’t know the answer. I’d tell everyone the truth.
“My entire point is that I’d rather speak the truth rather than fabricate it using a lie. Because lies don’t stand. If I did decide to take it seriously, I’d feel honest and admit that I was in something a bit bizarre. I wasn’t sure. I decided to try the risk. I’m sorry. This is it. It wasn’t me and I am not a fan of cheating. … What I can say is “legal team assist me in figuring this one out.”
Darin Chavez, who is part of Garcia’s legal team consisting of four members has told ESPN an official hearing before the New York State Athletic Commission will be scheduled in order to “absolve Garcia of any wrongdoing.”
” … When he was notified of the positive test, Ryan decided to have his hair taken and sent to Dr. Pascal Kintz, the most renowned expert in toxicology and hair samples examination,” Chavez said. “The results of Ryan’s hair samples did not come back positive. … The results of the test are confident there is a possibility that the supplements Ryan used prior to the fight could turn out to be contamination. We are currently conducting tests on the supplements to determine the source.”
The commission released a statement on Thursday stating that the matter is being reviewed.
“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 read. “Where violations are found, the Commission will take action.”
If Garcia (25-1 20 knockouts) as well as his teammates actually prove to the commission that there was no supplement contamination The 25-year-old may be cleared. If not, he could be suspended of his boxing license, along with a fine.
Garcia Garcia, who smashed Haney three times during the victory in the majority decision, lash to Victor Conte, who works alongside Haney as a performance and sports nutritionist advisor.
“This dude that’s f—ing defending Devin Haney is the biggest cheater in sports history,” Garcia declared. “You can’t make this up.” Conte, the founder of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), served time in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute performance-enhancing drugs before founding SNAC, a sports nutrition company.
“Ryan Garcia has called me lots of horrible names recently,” Conte stated to ESPN. “However, the scientific process was upheld and both of his urine B-samples came back 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 in regards to pending drug testing results. … The world of boxing deserves to be respected as a sport.”
Ostarine was used in boxing prior to. Lucian Bute tested positive for it in 2016, following an unfinished draw against Badou Jack at the WBC super middleweight championship bout. The outcome was changed to the status of a DQ victory for Jack. Amir Khan was handed a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after his positive test for ostarine in the sixth round of his TKO defeat against Kell Brook on 2022.
“It’s been tough,” Garcia stated. “I know I’ve been talking my s —, but alone it’s been hurting me a little bit and I’ve been sad and I feel like crying. I even feel like crying right now because it’s just like 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, man. I’ve been giving them the facts about what they’re doing and how it ended up being a positive the day before and the day after.”
“I know I will find a way to fight,” Garcia said in reference to potential suspension. “If I got 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.”
