Boxer Ryan Garcia Faces Uphill Battle Over Positive PED Test: Can Contamination Prove his Innocence?

Boxer Ryan Garcia has denied any intentional use of performance-enhancing drugs after a B-sample from his fight against Devin Haney on April 20th came back positive for a banned substance. The 25-year-old argues that the positive test was due to “contamination” from a tainted supplement.

Garcia tested positive for ostarine, a non-steroidal substance used to support muscle growth, before the fight, which he won on points. However, he missed weight for the contest. The positive tests were not revealed until after the fight by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada).

Garcia’s legal team released a statement maintaining that their client has always been committed to clean and fair competition and has never intentionally used any banned substance. They are currently testing the supplements used by Garcia to determine the exact source of contamination. Ostarine has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list since 2008.

Amir Khan, a British boxer, was previously banned for two years by UK Anti-Doping after testing positive for ostarine in 2022. This ban was enforced under “strict liability,” meaning a ban is applied regardless of intent. An investigation will continue with the New York State Athletic Commission, who sanctioned the fight against Haney, to determine if Garcia’s win should be overturned to a no-contest or if a suspension will be issued.

Garcia remains innocent of intentionally using any banned substance and is working hard to prove that the positive test was due to contaminated supplements. He continues to rise in American boxing with just one defeat in his record against Gervonta Davis in November 2019.