“KingRy,” Ryan Garcia has told Youtuber turned boxer Jake Paul that he would quit boxing if he knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.
Ryan Garcia upset the odds on April 20th beating WBC Super Lightweight and former Undisputed Lightweight Champion Devin Haney. Haney was sent to the canvas three times on his way to losing a majority decision and his undefeated record. Garcia controversially weighed three pounds over the 140-pound limit, meaning Haney retained the WBC belt by default.
“I Would Never Cheat!” Claims Ryan Garcia
As reported earlier in the week, a leaked letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency revealed that Garcia had returned two adverse findings following tests completed the day before and the day of the fight with Devin Haney. The two failed tests involved both Nandrolone and Ostarine, which are substances not typically found in supplements. Garcia has vehemently denied the two failed tests, telling media outlets that he believes he is being set up.
Garcia continued to deny the failed tests on a recent Instagram Live with Youtuber turned boxer Jake Paul. Paul is scheduled to fight no other than Mike Tyson later this year. Garcia said on the live, ” Ryan if you did do it, then that’s really f*ucked up.” Paul added, “I’m going to be pissed off at you, as a friend, that’s fucked up.”Garcia doubled down on his claims that he would quit boxing if found guilty of the two failed tests. “If I did it, which I know damn well I didn’t. I would quit boxing. I didn’t do it that’s crazy.”
Garcia further stated to Paul that cheating would be the last thing he would do and that he would never knowingly use any performance-enhancing drugs, “At the end of the day, I know I didn’t. God is watching me at all times. I’m not going to do something to cheat people. I could have hurt. I could have killed him. Why the F*ck would I do that. It’s so stupid, I’m not going to do it. Deadass, I would never cheat.”
‘B’ Sample:
Ryan Garcia has been slammed by fighters and promoters, including former UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor. Devin Haney released a statement in a recent post on ‘X’, “It’s unfortunate Ryan cheated and tested and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and breaking positive not once, but twice. Other fighters have also called for him to be banned from the sport for life.”
Garcia has requested for his B sample to be tested which he believes will prove his innocence and that the failed tests are false. The testing agency VADA has yet to release an official regarding the test or the ‘B’ sample. Although the New York State Athletic Commission have released a small statement to ESPN, “Safety, fairness and integrity in professional athletic competition are essential. The Commission is in communication with VADA and is reviewing the matter.” The WBC also released a statement advising that they are opening their own investigation into the alleged findings.
If Ryan Garcia is found guilty of using the banned substances it will certainly be a dark day for the sport of Boxing, with another high-profile failed test seriously damaging the reputation of the sport.
Do you think Ryan Garcia intentionally used performance-enhancing drugs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Featured Image Credit to The Mirror
