The New York State Athletic Commission has revoked Ryan Garcia’s majority decision victory over Devin Haney following the boxer’s failed test for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine.
A commission source confirmed to the Guardian that the settlement between Garcia’s legal team and the NYSAC changes the outcome to a no-contest, restoring Haney’s perfect record.
Garcia faces a minimum one-year suspension starting on the date of the bout, which happened in Brooklyn on April 20. In addition, he will forfeit his whole $1.1 million contract purse to Golden Boy Promotions and will be required to pay the commission the $10,000 state maximum fine.
The news of Thursday’s settlement was initially reported by boxing writer Dan Rafael.
In a statement to ESPN, Haney said, “I want to thank the commission and the fans who stood by me during this whole process.” “The facts are the facts, and I didn’t play by fair standards. I’m glad I was able to get justice for what transpired. All of it is a part of my story and will only help me grow. While I wait to see what comes next, I want to enjoy this time with my family and friends.
“Boxing is a cruel sport where one fight can actually change your life, yet I’m a clean athlete. Because of my experience in this situation, I believe it is crucial for fighters to stay clean, and I want to become an advocate for clean sportsmen.
Ostarine, an anabolic substance that is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2024 Prohibited List, is thought to be a safer substitute for steroids.
In a stunning upset in April, the 25-year-old Garcia stopped Haney three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss of the career.
Because Garcia weighed in at 143.2 pounds, which was 3.2 pounds over the division limit, the planned 12-round fight at the Barclays Center was reclassified as a non-title fight. This meant Garcia could no longer challenge Haney for the title; instead, he could only challenge for his spotless professional record.
The commission issued a statement saying, “The commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction.”
Even while the suspension is only officially applicable to fights that take place in New York state, sports commissions have long honored decisions made in other jurisdictions.
Since 2008, ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator, has been prohibited by Wada. Amir Khan was found guilty of having it in his system the night of his 2022 fight with Kell Brook, and as a result, he was banned from all sports for two years.
