Should the result of the Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney fight be overturned?
This is what many Devin Haney's fans are trying to push after Garcia, the bout winner, reportedly used a performance-enhancing drug before the fight.
Garcia was also three pounds heavier during the weigh-in, causing him to get disqualified from winning the supposed WBC Super Lightweight title.
"Ryan Garcia tested positive for the PED Ostarine the day before and the day of his upset win over Devin Haney, per a VADA letter obtained by ESPN," reporter Mike Coppinger wrote on X.
"Garcia has 10 days to request his B-sample be tested. A-sample also screened positive for 19-norandrosterone but unconfirmed."
Garcia promptly reacted to the news and initially reacted in jest about his alleged drug abuse.
Turning serious, he posted a video to deny the allegations and insist that he is not the type to cheat.
"What's up everybody! I came on here to address this bu*****t claim that I cheated," he started on the video.
"Everybody knows I don't cheat."
He also questioned the timing of the drug test report.
"Why didn't they come out with this before the fight if they found it before. Why would they let me step on the ring as a cheater and then come out with the victory and then they post this," he said.
"Again, these are people that are trying to attack me for whatever reason."
He ended the video by categorically denying that he had not taken steroids or supplements his entire life.
Devin Haney's father reacts
Devin Haney came to the fight as the favorite to win.
Alas, he got upset by Garcia via majority decision, 114-110, 115-109, 112-112.
He got knocked out three times in the fight.
Bill Haney, his father, thinks the playing field was not leveled during the fight after Garcia's alleged drug abuse came out.
"You trying to hurt my baby," Bill Haney said through Chris Mannix.
"We played it fair. We didn't do it like that. F--k boxing, this is some bulls--t. I came from the streets. You scared of Devin on a level playing field. I feel f--ked up over this. If you can brag about doing it, you shouldn't be on drugs."
Garcia can still appeal the report.
What's the punishment for PED use?
Taking PEDs is illegal in the United States, and anybody who is found guilty of using such substances will face harsh punishment.
Boxing has a stricter rule when it comes to PEDs. Among the banned substances are anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (HGH), and erythropoietin. The list is regularly updated as experts and officials discover new varieties of PEDs.
IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO-governing bodies for boxing-are the ones who determine the punishment for a fighter found guilty of using PEDs.
Champions were stripped of their title before. Some of them got suspended for a significant amount of time.
In some countries, boxers could get prison time for doping, just like in Germany under its Anti-Doping Act approved in 2015.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.