Eddie Hearn, the promoter from Matchroom Boxing, expressed his disappointment after Ryan Garcia tested positive for a banned substance following his fight with Devin Haney. This incident has stirred controversies within the boxing community. The event unfolded just after Garcia’s victory over Haney, where he originally won by a majority decision.
Prior to their bout, Ryan Garcia had faced multiple controversies including an incident where he was photographed smoking marijuana. Additionally, Garcia reportedly faked his own death and weighed in three pounds overweight while drinking beer at the weigh-in. Despite these issues, Garcia managed to defeat Haney unexpectedly but failed to claim Haney's world title due to the weight breach.
According to reports, Ryan Garcia tested positive for Ostarine during the drug tests conducted on the day of the weigh-in and again on the day of the fight. Ostarine is known as a performance-enhancing drug that can influence an athlete's performance significantly.
In reaction to the news, Eddie Hearn stated, “Shocked, saddened, disappointed. Gutted for Devin, to be honest with you, because he has boxed a guy there who was three-and-a-half pounds over [weight] and had performance enhancing drugs in his system.” Hearn clearly voiced his heartache over how these unfair advantages affected Haney’s chances during the fight.
Hearn proposed that the match's result should be changed to a no-contest. He explained, “It’s not always fair but what has to be done now in my opinion will probably be a no-contest because, whatever is proven, they were in his system.”
Ryan Garcia’s failed drug test not only spotlighted his immediate past controversies also cast doubts on his future plans. Initially set to move up into welterweight and challenge Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for the IBF world title García's career plans are now paused as they await verdict from New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
