Devin Haney is ‘absolutely FURIOUS’ after Ryan Garcia’s failed drug tests, says Eddie Hearn… as beaten champion eyes ‘immediate no-contest’
Eddie Hearn says Devin Haney has become ‘absolutely furious’ following news of Ryan Garcia’s failed drug tests, with the beaten super lightweight champion calling for an ‘immediate no contest’.
Garcia picked up the bragging rights in his grudge match with Haney on April 20, knocking down his former amateur rival three times and claiming a majority decision win – even though he had come in three and a half pounds over the super lightweight limit.
Nearly two weeks after that win, it has now emerged that the 25-year-old tested positive for Ostarine, a banned substance that builds muscle mass and increases the rate of fat loss, both the day before and the day of the fight.
Boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported Wednesday evening that Garcia failed for the substance in two urine sample tests for the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, while a sample also screened positive for 19-norandrosterone – another banned substance – but has not been confirmed pending further laboratory analysis.
Eddie Hearn Says Devin Haney Is ‘Absolutely Furious’ Following News of Ryan Garcia’s Failed Drug Tests
Garcia, who defeated Haney on April 20, tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine the day before and the day of the fight
Haney told Garcia on social media Wednesday that his failed tests are “no laughing matter.”
Haney broke his silence on social media after learning of his rival’s test failures, insisting his first career defeat was seen “in a completely different light” while telling Garcia it was “no laughing matter” . The latter, meanwhile, protests his innocence against X.
The morning after the bombshell report came to light, Hearn, who co-promoted Haney for the fight with Garcia, claimed his man felt “screwed” by the situation.
“I spoke to Devin last night, in his mind he is absolutely furious,” the Matchroom boss said The pounding ground.
“The man was three and a half pounds overweight and had performance enhancing drugs in his system. He will want the match to become a no-contest immediately [and] so that gets scrubbed off the map.
“Regardless of Ryan’s innocence or guilt in this situation, he had performance-enhancing drugs in his system when he fought Devin Haney – and he gained three and a half pounds.
“If you’re Devin Haney right now, you’re like, ‘F*** me, I’m screwed.’
Garcia has 10 days to have his B sample tested for the same substance, a test he must pay for himself.
He immediately took to social media on Wednesday evening to deny the claims, labeling them as “fake news.”
Hearn, who co-promoted Haney for the fight, says his man will pursue a no-contest
Garcia immediately launched a tirade on social media to deny that he had knowingly used PEDs
“I came here to address the claim that I cheated,” Garcia said in a video on X. “Everyone knows I don’t cheat.
‘What can I say? Why didn’t they come out with this sooner, if they found it before? Why did they still let me in the ring? I came out with a win and then they post this.
“These are people who are trying to attack me for whatever reason. But no weapon against me will succeed. I’ve never used a steroid in my life.’
Garcia continued to hit back at the reports in a series of rants on social media, with one post suggesting the news broke as an attack on him for being pictured with Donald Trump.
“Hmm, I’m seen with Trump,” he wrote. “And now I’m positive for steroids. This is a direct attack. Crazy.’
“I’m going to find out who paid who to create this lie,” he added in another. ‘NOW EVERYONE RELEASE S***. TIME TO EXPOSE THE REAL SNAKES.’