Ryan Garcia has the uphill task of proving his innocence, as his B-sample test also returns positive for Ostarine. The American boxer has almost lost his case and might be preparing for a lengthy ban, if he fails to justify his actions. While he is trying to shield behind his hair sample test, Victor Conte has a simple message for him.
‘KingRy’s tale also reminds fans of a controversial 2018 incident when Canelo Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol. But the Mexican champion relied on his hair test, which turned a negative result for the banned substance. This helped Alvarez, 33, escape a stern punishment and only served a 6-month ban. Meanwhile, according to Conte, Garcia, 25, stood differently than Alvarez. The 73-year-old turned to his X handle and drew parallels between Alvarez’s and Garcia’s hair tests.
While the middleweight champion had produced credible sources of contamination, which led to a positive PED result, Garcia failed to do the same. Conte wrote, “Enough @ryangarcia vs @Canelo hair test comparisons. My take. Canelo gave receipts 2 resturant w/ contaminated meat traceble 2 slaugherhouse & study showing 30% of Mexico meat contaminated. PLUS hair test suggesting no intent & @ryangarcia has presented as source? @realdevinhaney”
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Enough @ryangarcia vs @Canelo hair test comparisons. My take. Canelo gave receipts 2 resturant w/ contaminated meat traceble 2 slaugherhouse & study showing 30% of Mexico meat contaminated. PLUS hair test suggesting no intent & @ryangarcia
has presented as source?@realdevinhaney— Victor Conte (@VictorConte) May 26, 2024
Amusingly, Conte served some time behind bars for his BALCO st*roids scandal, which tarnished the reputation of many stars. He works closely with Devin Haney, and the lightweight fighter also endorses Conte’s supplements. According to US Today, Conte also dictated the frequency of Garcia, at 25-1, and Haney’s, at 31-1, testing program. These connections led the Victorville native to claim that Conte assisted Haney in staging the PED controversy.
However, Conte has denied such allegation and specified that Garcia’s “conspiracy theory” was wrong. He added, “I have nothing to do with this, I am completely independent of VADA. I am not behind Ryan Garcia’s positive drug test.” The only way Garcia escapes liability now is if his team can prove supplement contamination. The Ostarine saga has also affected the chances of Garcia and Haney rematch, which was once a foregone conclusion.
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Is Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney rematch dead?
Eddie Hearn, in a conversation with IFTV, suggested he foresee a no-contest for Garcia and Haney’s first encounter. He continued, “It’s just whether that’s a disqualification or a no-contest or whatever is gonna happen. But I think the rematch is massive.” Haney, on the other hand, has shunned the rematch talks for now. The 25-year-old declared on ESPN SportsCenter, “Honestly I’m not too interested in it… As of right now, it wouldn’t be a fight I would entertain.”
Notably, Haney has his mandatory defense against Sandor Martin next. It might set the stage for a strong comeback and a win could also bolster his confidence. It remains to be seen whether he decides to run it back against Garcia soon.
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What do you make of these comments by Victor Conte about Ryan Garcia? Do you believe his B-sample failure is a testament to his PED abuse? Let us know in the comments below.