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Mike Coppinger, ESPN
Boxer Devin Haney, in a letter to the New York State Athletic Commission obtained by ESPN, formally requested Saturday that last month’s loss to Ryan Garcia be overturned to a disqualification win after Garcia’s failed doping test.
Garcia’s A-sample tested positive for the anabolic agent ostarine the day before and the night of his majority-decision win over Haney in Brooklyn. Garcia’s B-sample will be examined on May 22. The tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
If Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) is found culpable, the result could be changed to a no contest or, if Haney’s request is granted, a DQ loss for Garcia.
Haney’s attorney, Pat English, argued that along with the failed doping test, Garcia gained an “unfair advantage” after he “admitted that missing weight was a tactic.” Garcia was 3.5 pounds overweight for the 140-pound title fight and was ineligible to win the title.
Garcia, 25, also used IVs in the lead-up to the bout, according to English. The use of IVs is prohibited under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and VADA guidelines.
“Upon information and belief, no therapeutic-use exemption was granted by the … commission and use was not disclosed.” IVs can be used to dilute urine to avoid detection of drugs. Garcia’s attorney, Darin Chavez, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Garcia floored Haney three times in the bout. Haney, who remains the WBC junior welterweight titleholder, had never been knocked down in 31 previous pro fights.
English mentioned precedent for a DQ win. Following Lucian Bute’s draw with Badou Jack in 2016, Bute tested positive for ostarine. The result was changed to a DQ win for Jack.
Amir Khan was handed a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after he tested positive for ostarine following his sixth-round TKO loss to Kell Brook in 2022.
Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that attaches to proteins in the body and effectively signals for muscles to grow. It is used to aid performance by helping athletes build muscle mass and enhance their rate of fat loss, as well as to increase stamina and recovery ability.
Garcia has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, saying “everybody knows that I don’t cheat.”
In a “SportsCenter” interview earlier this month, Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) said “whoever got caught doping and admitted it? I think [Garcia] would have been the first [athlete] in history.”
Haney, 25, is the former undisputed lightweight champion. He was rated No. 6 by ESPN pound for pound when he entered the ring to fight Garcia.