Ryan Garcia has reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission over his recent failed drug tests.
Garcia tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine in tests conducted the day before and on the day of his career-best win over Devin Haney in April.
The troubled boxer, who worried fans in the run-up to the fight with a series of disturbing social media posts and was recently arrested for felony vandalism in Beverly Hills, has maintained his innocence throughout after claiming that was a victim of “supplement contamination.”
However, despite his protests, he is now said to have reached an agreement with the NYSAC to resolve his long-running doping scandal.
And it includes a lengthy ban by the New York commission.
Ryan Garcia has reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission over his recent failed drug tests.
According to boxing journalist dan rafaelGarcia accepted a punishment that will see him serve a one-year suspension from the sport, lose his $1.1 million contract for the victory over Haney, of which his rival could keep a percentage, and pay a $10,000 fine.
His victory over Haney will also be officially changed to a no-contest, ensuring the latter maintains his undefeated record.
Garcia’s promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions, will reportedly receive his lost fight purse of $1.1 million.
The 25-year-old will now be kept out of the ring for the next 12 months as he serves his suspension for the failed tests, which only emerged in the weeks following his emphatic victory against Haney.
Following Thursday’s settlement, Garcia and his team issued a statement maintaining their innocence and pointing to alleged “substance contamination” that they believe led to the failed tests.
The statement reads: “Ryan Garcia was a victim of substance contamination, with levels measured in billions and trillions of grams, which provided no advantage in the ring.
‘Ryan, with his legal team, has resolved this issue and steadfastly maintains his truth: he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s just not in their nature.
“For many years, Ryan has voluntarily submitted to random testing, including out of competition, and has never had any problems. He has maintained a spotless and clean record throughout his career, significantly elevating and transcending the sport of boxing, earning the respect and admiration of millions of fans around the world.
“Fans will always remember his performance against Haney as a masterclass, and that will never be erased. Ryan will continue to elevate the sport and be active in promoting reform. We hope future changes to our system address issues like this.
‘We want to thank all the fans who have continued to support Ryan, not only during the great moments but also during the difficult times that life brings. He will be back in the ring soon and better than ever!’
After going nearly four pounds over the super lightweight limit, Garcia put on the best display of his career to date to defeat Haney, whom he dropped to the canvas three times on his way to a points victory.
Garcia defeated Devin Haney in April in a fight that has been marred by controversy.
However, that victory has now been erased from his record after he tested positive for Ostarine in two tests at the time of the fight, before a requested B sample for the same substance also returned.
Garcia embarked on another bizarre rant on social media this week, claiming that he is officially retired from boxing amid his lawsuit from online star Logan Paul and that his mother is currently battling breast cancer.
Paul’s energy drink brand, Prime, filed a defamation lawsuit against the boxer in Texas last month, following an Instagram where he said: “@loganpaul come on bro you’re hurting the kids you’re supposedly pegging.”
Earlier this month, Garcia stated that her mother, Lisa Garcia, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
‘Mom has cancer. I’m being sued. My supplements were contaminated. Going through a divorce,” she said this week.
‘Always TALKING SHIT on the Internet FOR YEARS Devin asking for my victory to be taken away. They are hitting me with everything. I STILL LOVE GOD, HE IS EVERYTHING.
‘I’m not asking for sympathy. I’m asking for war. I’m only going to bring more revenge. In the end these are worldly problems. JESUS LOVES ME and in the end that’s the only thing that matters.’
