Ryan Garcia is banned for one year by the New York Commission for doping after being declared unfit to compete following his victory over Devin Haney | Boxing News

New York commission bans boxer Ryan Garcia for 12 months after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs the day before and the day of his victory over Devin Haney; that fight has now been voided, Garcia forfeited the $1 million he earned and paid a $10,000 fine.

Ryan Garcia was suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission. In addition, his victory over Devin Haney on April 20 was deemed invalid because he was tested for doping.

The commission also said Garcia would have to forfeit the $1 million (£790,000) he earned from the fight and pay a $10,000 fine.

If Garcia passes a doping test, he will be allowed to fight again in New York State after April 20, 2025, the commission decided.

“The Commission will continue to demand the highest professional standards from athletes and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” the NYSAC statement said.

Although the ban only applies to fights in New York State, athletic commissions typically adhere to the decisions of other jurisdictions.

Prior to the news of the suspension, Garcia said several times on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he would retire from boxing and later even posted that he wanted to speak to UFC President Dana White about joining the organization.

“I really hope boxing does well without me,” Garcia posted. “I’ve fought everyone and I was ready to fight. They turned their backs on me. I’m innocent. I stand by it, I don’t care what anyone says. I didn’t take any performance enhancing drugs.”

Garcia’s lawyers said in a statement that he was “a victim of substance contamination” and that the boxer had repeatedly passed doping tests even when he was not training for a fight.

The statement said: “He has never intentionally taken banned substances. It is simply not in his nature.”

ESPN had previously reported, citing a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, that Garcia’s A sample tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine the day before and on the day of the fight with Haney.

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator and can stimulate muscle growth when used. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The results of the test were only made known later.

Garcia defeated Haney in New York by majority decision, knocking down Haney three times, handing the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss, but he did not win the title because he was over the weight limit.

Haney thanked the commission in an interview with ESPN.

“Facts are facts and I didn’t have an equal opportunity,” Haney said. “I’m glad I was able to get justice for what happened. This is all part of my story and will only make me better. I want to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what’s next.”