“I Need This”: Ryan Garcia Announces a Break From Social Media Amid Outrage Over Doping Test Debacle

There has to be a movie made about what’s been happening to and around Ryan Garcia over the past few months. If not a full-length feature, at least a short documentary would suffice! That is how much drama the Victorville native has seen in the past year. Facing intense online scrutiny after the latest update on his performance-enhancing drug situation, Garcia has now announced a much-needed social media break.

On April 1, VADA revealed that ‘KingRy’ tested positive for a banned substance ostarine for samples collected one day before as well as on the day of the fight against Devin Haney. So, Garcia quickly moved to request the testing of his B-Samples, which also came out positive for the same drug. He then moved to produce a negative test using his hair sample from a third party. However, just the other day, Garcia’s team finally located the source of his positive test results. 

Ryan Garcia promises to come back to social media with real news

Turning to his Instagram account, Garcia wrote in his story, “Taking a break from social [media] and will come on when I have real news. I need this. I love yall”. Seemingly upset with the unending ordeal, Garcia is now hoping for some good news in the coming days. The update comes right after Ryan Garcia submitted forms, which listed two supplements that were the reason behind his positive PED tests. 

According to Mike Coppinger of ESPN, reports from Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory submitted on Tuesday revealed the supplements raspberry-lemonade flavored NutraBio SuperCarb had ostarine at 70-2200 picograms per gram powder and Body Health strawberry-flavored amino-acid blend at 660-830 picograms. The Victorville native also highlighted the other supplements he had taken: D3, iron, Thorne elite multivitamins, and magnesium glycinate. Garcia’s pre-fight supplement regimen, as reported to sanctioning bodies, included these items.

Ryan Garcia’s new attorney has expressed his thoughts about the new development and the potential result during Garcia’s trial with the New York State Athletic Commission. 

Paul Greene hopes Garcia’s punishment won’t be severe

Speaking about the new findings in Garcia’s supplements, the attorney representing Garcia’s case, Paul Greene, said, “The World Anti-Doping [Agency] code actually recognizes a declaration of a supplement in advance as proof that the athlete took it, and it allows an athlete to get a reduced sanction in most cases.”

Greene, who has represented the likes of UFC stars Jon Jones and Sean O’Malley in doping cases, added, “I’m hopeful that [the punishment] will be on the very lowest end of how they determine these cases.” Meanwhile, Devin Haney, who was advocating for his loss to be erased, alleging Garcia took the drugs intentionally, has also shared his take after the latest development. 

In a tweet yesterday, the former undisputed champion wrote, “Yall don’t believe this cap right? Found somebody to blame.” Though Haney may ardently desire to reclaim his lost victory, the presence of the PED in Garcia’s supplement suggests, to some degree, an unintentional ingestion. However, the ultimate decision rests in the hands of the authorities, as they hold the power to determine the next course of action.

The entire Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney ordeal has been chaotic and has seen no end even a month after the fight. However, the coming days may produce, for the most part, a potential conclusion to the ongoing saga. If the decision favors Haney, forget about a rematch ever happening, but if Garcia gets the favorable decision, fans may see the fighters enter the ring one more time. What do you think Garcia’s fate holds?