A previous report suggested one of Garcia’s samples may have nandrolone metabolites in it. Further testing has now concluded it does not.
A closer analysis of Ryan Garcia’s drug test sample has cleared the boxer of using the steroid nandrolone, although Garcia will still have to answer for trace amounts of ostarine in drug tests leading up to his fight with Devin Haney.
Garcia defeated Haney via majority decision after a controversial lead-up to the fight which saw “King Ryan” miss weight by 3.2 pounds. Then news came out that two drug tests administered to Garcia on April 19th and April 20th tested positive for ostarine. The VADA report on the April 19th sample also suggested a nandrolone metabolite (the leftover junk after your body processes a substance) 19-norandrosterone may have been detected as well.
Now boxing reporter Dan Rafael is reporting that the April 19th sample has been put through more testing and VADA is now stating that there was no 19-norandrosterone detected.
“So yall realize I didn’t fail the tests now,” Garcia declared on X (formerly Twitter). “No substance other then this imaginary ostrich substance. Level so low wouldn’t have any effect. THEY TRIED BUT NO LIE STANDS PRAISE GOD.”
Ostarine may not technically be a steroid, but it is still considered a performance enhancing drug by any drug testing agency worth its salt. There is no minimum amount that is allowable, so Garcia is still in trouble no matter how trace the amount they found in his system.
That being said, ostarine has been making headlines for years in the sporting world because it regularly ends up in tainted supplements and products. If Garcia can prove he accidentally ingested ostarine through a tainted product, he may be able to clear his name.
Garcia’s B samples from the failed April 19th and 20th tests are set to be unsealed and tested on May 22nd with a representative from the fighter’s team on hand. No date has been announced by the New York Athletic Commission to deal with the failed drug tests.