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"We learned about this situation not too long ago and it's unfortunate," said Devin Haney in a statement to ESPN. "Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and breaking the rules not once, but twice." (Haney is referencing Garcia missing weight for the fight as well.)
Garcia vehemently denied the accusations in a social media video. "I don't even know where to get steroids," he claimed. Garcia has the right to request a test of his B-sample, which could potentially exonerate him.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has confirmed the "adverse findings" and initiated due process according to their Clean Boxing Program Protocol. This could result in a suspension for Garcia and potentially a reversal of his win.
"The WBC had received notification from VADA about Ryan Garcia's adverse findings on tests taken in connection to his fight against Haney," stated WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. "More information to follow."
The potential consequences for Garcia's career are significant. A suspension would halt his momentum and damage his reputation. Additionally, a win overturned due to doping would be a major setback.
This situation casts a dark cloud over Garcia's win. Fans are left questioning the legitimacy of the victory and its impact on the super lightweight division rankings.
Whether Garcia maintains his innocence or faces punishment, the positive test tarnishes a fight that promised to revitalize the weight class. Only time will tell how this saga unfolds, but one Thing is certain: the boxing world is watching closely.
