Featured Columnist IVJune 20, 2024
Al Bello/Getty Images
Boxer Ryan Garcia is hanging up the gloves.
The 25-year-old took to social media Wednesday and said he was “officially retired.”
The announcement comes after his controversial April 20 bout against Devin Haney. ESPN’s Mike Coppinger noted last month that Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory reports revealed two supplements listed on Garcia’s doping control forms showed the presence of the banned substance ostarine.
The retirement post came shortly after he said “I’m outty” and “I may retire I’m done with this game” in separate posts.
Garcia also lamented walking away but notably said “there is so much corruption I’m over it” and that “boxing will be alright without me.”
RYAN GARCIA @RyanGarcia
Yall may catch me out and about but as far as boxing I don’t know
There is so much corruption I’m over it
I may do acting or singing
I’ll still be training but I’m hurt and done with it and everyone
The sad part is I’m a great boxer
And I entertain and knock people out…
RYAN GARCIA @RyanGarcia
Boxing will be alright without me
But still sucks I was fun in the game
And it was fun to punch people
As for the failed drug test from samples collected prior to the fight against Haney, Garcia’s attorneys released a statement blaming “supplement contamination” for the results, per Josh Peter of USA Today.
“This confirms what we have consistently maintained: Ryan was a victim of supplement contamination and has never intentionally used any banned or performance-enhancing substances,” the statement said. “Any claims to the contrary, questioning Ryan’s integrity as a clean fighter, are unequivocally false and defamatory.”
The ostarine was detected in NutraBIO super carb raspberry lemonade and strawberry-flavored Body Health Perfect Amino.
Since the fight was in Brooklyn, the New York State Athletic Commission will eventually make a ruling. Boxing insider Lance Pugmire reported Tuesday the commission will meet this week to rule on Garcia, who could face a fine, suspension and/or even an overturning of his victory over Haney.
As for the fight, it was quite the upset win for Garcia.
He scored three knockdowns in the majority-decision victory, although he was not eligible to win Haney’s WBC junior welterweight title since he weighed in at 3.2 pounds over the 140-pound contest.
The win improved Garcia’s overall record to 25-1 with 20 knockouts.
