Ryan Garcia has been handed a one-year suspension following his positive tests for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine, retroactive to his April 20 majority decision win over Devin Haney, which has now been overturned to a no-contest. This settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission was confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
Garcia, 25, will also forfeit his $1.2 million purse from the fight, though his guaranteed earnings were significantly higher. Additionally, Garcia has been fined $10,000 by the commission.
In the bout, Garcia (24-1-1NC, 20 KOs) knocked Haney down three times in rounds 7, 10, and 11. Garcia was ineligible to win Haney’s WBC junior welterweight title and will now be sidelined until April 20, 2025. Garcia’s lawyer, Paul Greene, previously expressed hope for a suspension of four months or less.
“I’d rather tell the truth than fabricate a lie because lies don’t hold up,” Garcia told ESPN before his B-sample also tested positive. “If I had taken [ostarine], I would admit it and apologize. But I didn’t, and I detest cheating. My legal team is helping me figure this out.”
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association administered the tests, but the New York State Athletic Commission determined the punishment. Both Garcia and Haney had enrolled in VADA testing, undergoing multiple random tests before the fight.
Haney, who was a heavy favorite, had never been knocked down in his 31 professional fights before facing Garcia. One judge scored the bout even, 112-112, but the other two judges scored it 114-110 and 115-109 in Garcia’s favor.
With the suspension now in place, Garcia’s immediate future in boxing is uncertain.
Why was Garcia suspended for a year? Garcia chose to avoid a hearing and accepted a one-year suspension, a severe penalty that will keep him from competing until April 20, 2025. Having already forfeited $600,000 to Haney for missing weight, Garcia will now lose an additional $1,210,000, totaling $1,821,000.
“It’s a harsh result,” said Haney’s attorney, Pat English. English, who has extensive experience with PED cases, remarked, “I’ve never seen a $1.2 million forfeiture or anything remotely close.”
Given the high-profile nature of this case, the commission likely felt compelled to impose a significant penalty to deter future PED use.
When boxing star Canelo Alvarez was suspended for six months in 2018 for clenbuterol, the relatively short suspension drew criticism, as most top-level boxers only fight twice a year.
Garcia fought twice last year, losing to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in April and defeating Oscar Duarte in December.
What was Garcia’s defense?
Ryan Garcia forfeited $1.2 million to his promoter, Golden Boy, and was fined $10,000 by the New York State Athletic Commission. Sam Hodde/Getty Images According to New York State Athletic Commission rules, a fighter who tests positive for a banned substance has the “right to a fair hearing” and must provide evidence to counter the presumption of doping. The commission follows a strict liability approach, meaning the athlete is responsible for anything in their body, even if it was ingested unintentionally through contaminated supplements.
Garcia’s defense centered on supplement contamination. Despite this argument, the presence of ostarine in his system still constitutes a rule violation.
Ostarine was found in Garcia’s A-sample following urine tests on April 19 and April 20. The B-sample also tested positive.
Greene acknowledged a “negligent component” to Garcia’s actions but maintained that there was an “innocent mindset.” Garcia’s team did not contest the doping violation itself but hoped for a minimal penalty.
Garcia listed all supplements he was taking on his doping control forms. Lab tests found ostarine in two of these supplements, though they were unsealed. NutraBio, one of the supplement manufacturers, denied any contamination.
Victor Conte, a sports nutritionist who works with Haney, questioned the credibility of the test results due to the unsealed supplements.
Can Garcia fight outside New York while suspended?
Ryan Garcia knocked down Devin Haney three times before scoring a majority-decision victory back in April. Al Bello/Getty Images The Association of Boxing Commissions will honor the suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission, meaning Garcia cannot fight in the U.S. during his suspension.
“I will find a way to fight,” Garcia told ESPN. “If I need to go to another country, I will. I just want to be in the ring.”
While Garcia might find a country willing to host his fights, most major international commissions will likely recognize the suspension. The NYSAC could impose further penalties if Garcia fights abroad during his suspension.
How does ostarine enhance performance?
Ryan Garcia, right, defeated Devin Haney by majority decision, but that result has been changed to a no-contest after Garcia’s positive test. Al Bello/Getty Images Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator that promotes muscle growth by binding to proteins in the body. It helps athletes build muscle mass, increase fat loss, and improve stamina and recovery.
Listed as an anabolic agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2008, ostarine is banned at levels above 0.1 ng/ml. Garcia’s ostarine level was 6 ng/ml, 60 times the allowable limit.
“Ostarine can maintain muscle strength and mass during caloric deficits,” explained Victor Conte. “It’s ideal for athletes cutting weight while trying to build muscle.”
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British boxing star Amir Khan received a two-year ban after testing positive for ostarine following his 2022 loss to Kell Brook. Khan has not fought since.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended UFC fighter Sean O’Malley for six months in 2018 for testing positive for ostarine. He received another nine-month suspension in 2019 for the same substance.
NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins tested positive for ostarine in 2022, and former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Taylor Lewan tested positive in 2019. Several Clemson players also tested positive for ostarine before the 2018 College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame.