Bill Haney Bites the Dust as Drug Testing Proposal Vehemently Opposed by Fans

Boxing has a drug problem—it’s a phrase fans and experts are well aware of. VADA is the most reliable PED-testing entity in boxing and provides more thorough testing than any other entity. This may be the reason why all major sanctioning bodies enlist their services to keep the matches clean. So, it begs the question, why does boxing still have a drug problem? Are the tests not being conducted frequently? Are all boxers not being subjected to testing? Regardless of the issue, Bill Haney has taken up an initiative. 

After grappling with the Ryan Garcia doping scandal, which saw the Victorville native test positive for ostarine, and subsequently fined and banned from boxing for a year, Devin Haney’s father has asked for mandatory VADA testing for all big fights. However, his plea for stricter testing in the sport seems to have been met with friction from certain fans.

Bill Haney issues VADA testing challenge

“Boxing deserves champions who lead by example,” Bill Haney wrote on X hours earlier. “That’s why I’m calling for mandatory VADA testing for all big fights no exceptions. Let’s raise the bar and protect the sport we love.” He further added that his son has been open to proving he is a clean fighter while asking other boxers to do the same. 

This comes after Bill was involved in a social media back-and-forth with Ryan Garcia, where he accused Garcia of taking ostarine on purpose before his fight against Devin Haney in April. Garcia, of course, denied taking it on purpose and raised eyebrows by highlighting, “What is a little weird tho is how your other son knew about the testing before the public before you and even before the vada testing,” Garcia wrote. 

Haney has long been criticized for his connection to disgraced BALCO founder Victor Conte, a man known for his role in the BALCO scandal. Devin Haney himself has been seen promoting Conte’s nutritional brand SNAC. Regardless, even when fighters are found positive for PEDs, they often get their name cleared with consequences that never really affect their careers. 

Perhaps that’s why fans reacted strongly to Bill Haney’s tweet.

Haney asked to distance himself from Victor Conte

Despite Bill Haney’s call for the betterment of the sport, most fans didn’t quite agree with him. Show Bizz Adult, a boxing commentator and a familiar name among boxing fans, urged Bill to distance himself from Victor Conte, whom he believes is involved in producing undetectable performance-enhancing drugs. “Lead by example and separate from Conte (the best at producing and promoting nondetectable PEDs to help ruin the legacy of great athletes)? That would be HUGE for your message. Seriously brother, no hate, all love,” the comment read. Interestingly, Conte served time in prison back in 2005 after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering.

Meanwhile, the next user didn’t even want to deal with Bill Haney’s tweet. The user wrote, “Shut the f**k up.” Notably, Haney’s association with Conte doesn’t translate well with the fans. 

Another user proposed another testing agency. “F**k vada. @usantidoping is the ONLY legit company. Who tf would trust vada when u inbed with Victor who has people in place at the testing labs,” the user commented. According to a report from The Guardian, USADA had previously been involved in boxing, but at the time, VADA reported more positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs when their results were compared.

The next user acknowledged that there is a drug problem, and also felt USADA is the answer. “The sport does need to be clean, but trusting Vada. Naw, USAntidoping would be better to use,” the user’s comment read. In reality, the main problem is, there are drugs today that go undetected, regardless of how rigorous testing is being conducted. 

Someone else felt monthly testing was the answer. “All fighters should be tested every month regardless,” wrote the user. But again, some drugs are capable of remaining undetected for about 24-48 hours after consumption. 

That being said, while Bill Haney’s message for cleaning up the sport was commendable, fans don’t quite seem to trust the man himself. It’s also possible that Haney brought up the topic just because Ryan Garcia tested positive since this isn’t the first case. What do you think about the drug problem in boxing?