Devin Haney, in response to news of Ryan Garcia’s failed drug test, expressed his disappointment, labeling it as disrespectful to boxing and its fans. This revelation followed their recent bout at New York’s Barclay’s Center, where Haney suffered his first professional defeat, knocked down three times by Garcia in a significant upset for the sport.
The news of Garcia’s flagged VADA test, indicating abnormalities, emerged after Garcia vehemently denied knowingly ingesting banned substances, maintaining his innocence. However, Haney issued a statement to ESPN, asserting his belief that Garcia sought an unfair advantage in their bout, tarnishing the integrity of the sport and disappointing fans.
Haney emphasized his commitment to clean fighting and highlighted the seriousness of the matter, emphasizing the risks boxers undertake in the ring. He called for Garcia to apologize to the fans, stressing that boxing is not a game but a profession where lives are on the line.
The failed drug test and Haney’s response have cast a shadow over their recent fight, altering its significance. Despite facing a disadvantage, Haney expressed his resolve in the ring but underscored the gravity of the situation, reminding that boxing is a matter of life and death, not to be taken lightly.
As Garcia has the option to request testing of his B-Sample within ten days, uncertainty looms over the fate of his victory and the bout’s outcome. Whether Garcia’s victory will stand or if the result will be changed to a no-contest remains unclear, pending further developments in this unfolding saga.