Garcia tested positive for ostarine before and after April fight, Star boxer has 10 days to request that his B-sample be tested. #ryangarcia #haneygarcia

Ryan Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing anabolic agent ostarine on the day before and the day after his surprise win over Devin Haney last month in New York City, according to a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) letter sent to both parties. #devinhaney #garciahaney

ESPN was first to report the news of Garcia’s failed drug tests, which if confirmed would likely result in a suspension and the overturning of the result to a no-contest.

Garcia has 10 days to request that his B-sample be tested. Garcia’s A-sample also reportedly screened positive for 19-norandrosterone, though its presence is being confirmed by carbon isotope ratio testing.

Ostarine is an anabolic agent regarded as a safer alternative to steroids which appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2024 Prohibited List. Garcia vehemently denied taking any illegal substances in a video posted to X on Wednesday night.

“Everybody knows that I don’t cheat,” Garcia said. “I’ve never taken a steroid in my life. I don’t even know where to get steroids, at the end of the day. I barely take supplements ... Big lies, I beat his ass.”

The 25-year-old Garcia scored three knockdowns of Haney and handed the WBC super lightweight champion the first defeat of his professional career in a dramatic upset on 20 April.

The scheduled 12-round encounter at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center had been downgraded to a non-title bout when Garcia weighed in at 143.2lbs – 3.2lbs above the division limit – creating a situation where Garcia could no longer take Haney’s championship, only his unblemished professional record.

“We learned about this situation not too long ago and it’s unfortunate Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and breaking positive not once, but twice,” Haney said in a statement to ESPN.

“Ryan owes the fans an apology, and by his recent tweet he still thinks this is a joke. We put our lives on the line to entertain people for a living. You don’t play boxing. This puts the fight in a completely different light. Despite the disadvantage, I still fought on my shield and got back up! People die in this sport. This isn’t a joking matter.”

Ryan Garcia's fitness to fight was questioned in the lead-up to his bout with Devin Haney, a turbulent promotion that was highlighted by Garcia's erratic comments.

Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) was a major underdog and virtually counted out entering Saturday evening. His blinding, powerful left hook turned the tide as Garcia scored three knockdowns to pull the upset via majority decision at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

One judge scored the bout 112-112 but was overruled by scores of 114-110 and 115-109 for Garcia. However, Garcia wasn't eligible to win Haney's WBC junior welterweight title after he weighed 143.2 pounds Friday for the 140-pound contest. Haney remains the champion in defeat, but it's Garcia who scored the career-best win by knocking off ESPN's No. 6 pound-for-pound boxer.

In the opening minute of the fight, as a harbinger of what was to come, Garcia was the one who made Haney pay with a ripping left hook that rocked the champion.

Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) quickly recuperated and went on to outbox Garcia over the next four rounds. He even wobbled Garcia in Round 3 with a right hand while Garcia boxed off a back foot and looked for another counter left hook that would change the fight.

Ryan Garcia’s win over Devin Haney on Saturday night has people talking about a rematch with Haney, but also some about a rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, who knocked Garcia out last year. #tankdavis #ryangarcia #kingryan #kingry

Garcia (25-1, 21 KO) says he doesn’t expect it to happen, saying that he’s not even going to try fighting at 140 again, and will be moving up to welterweight officially.

Garcia found it in Round 7 as he floored Haney -- the first time he has been on the canvas in 32 pro fights -- but Garcia didn't capitalize. Moments after the knockdown, as the crowd erupted, Garcia crushed Haney with a right hand on the break and was deducted one point by referee Harvey Dock.

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