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Ryan Garcia has been handed a one-year ban from boxing by the New York State Athletic Commission after failing a drugs test.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 25-year-old tested positive for banned substance ostarine in two separate tests taken before his fight with Devin Haney on 20 April.<\/p>\n
Garcia’s victory against Haney will now be recorded as a no-contest – meaning Haney’s undefeated record is restored.<\/p>\n
As well as the ban, Garcia must forfeit his \u00a3950,000 ($1.2m) contract purse from the Haney fight and pay a \u00a37,900 ($10,000) fine.<\/p>\n
The New York State Athletic Commission confirmed Garcia would be suspended until 20 April 2025 and would need to provide a clean urine test before his licence could be reissued.<\/p>\n
“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” a statement read.<\/p>\n
Garcia, who denied taking the substance, blamed “contamination” from a tainted supplement.<\/p>\n
The American, who wrote on X on 19 June that he was “retired”, responded to the ban by saying: “I was already retired so I’ll just come back out of retirement for a year.”<\/p>\n
He added: “I never cheated.”<\/p>\n
Garcia has just one defeat on his 25-fight record, a 2023 loss to Gervonta Davis, and is considered one of the biggest stars in American boxing.<\/p>\n
His voided victory against Haney came in New York, with Garcia winning on points after missing weight before the contest.<\/p>\n
Haney, whose record returns to 31 victories in 31 fights, said on X: “Thank you to commission for doing the right thing and making the right decision.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m happy it wasn’t a DQ [disqualification] because I wouldn’t want [to] win like that.<\/p>\n
“Once this suspension is over, Garcia let’s run it back. Clean on a even playing field. Biggest fight [in] boxing.”<\/p>\n
Ostarine, a non-steroidal drug used to support muscle growth, has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list since 2008.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n