Devin Haney requests NYSAC overturn loss to Ryan Garcia

Boxer Devin Haney, in a letter to the New York State Athletic Commission obtained by ESPN, formally requested Saturday that last month’s loss to Ryan Garcia be overturned to a disqualification victory after Garcia’s failed doping test.

Garcia’s A-sample tested positive for the anabolic agent ostarine the day before and the night of his majority-decision win over Haney in Brooklyn. Garcia’s B-sample will be examined May 22. The tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

If Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) is found culpable, the result could be changed to a no contest or, if Haney’s request is granted, a DQ loss for Garcia.

Haney’s attorney, Pat English, argued that along with the failed doping test, Garcia gained an “unfair advantage” after he “admitted that missing weight was a tactic.” Garcia was 3.5 pounds overweight for the 140-pound title fight and was ineligible to win the title.

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Garcia, 25, also used IVs in the lead-up to the fight, according to English.

The use of IVs is prohibited under World Anti-Doping Agency and VADA guidelines.

“Upon information and belief, no therapeutic-use exemption was granted by the … commission and use was not disclosed.” IVs can be used to dilute urine to avoid detection of drugs.

Garcia’s attorney, Darin Chavez, told ESPN that Haney’s camp is simply making excuses for the loss.

“Team Haney is thirsty for a ‘W.’ They can’t let go of the fact that they, as a team, underperformed and underestimated Ryan Garcia,” Chavez told ESPN. “They want something to blame, so they are attempting to cast the blame for the loss on Ryan’s weight — which they agreed to and accepted a large money payment, and now the A-sample VADA finding — which is nothing more than a supplement contamination issue. … The reality for the Haney camp is that the loss on April 20 was simply due to Ryan Garcia proving that he was and is the superior fighter. Period.”

Garcia floored Haney three times in the fight. Haney, who still is the WBC junior welterweight titleholder, had never been knocked down in 31 previous pro fights.

English mentioned precedent for a DQ win. After Lucian Bute’s draw with Badou Jack in 2016, Bute tested positive for ostarine. The result was changed to a DQ win for Jack.

Amir Khan was handed a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping after he tested positive for ostarine following his sixth-round TKO loss to Kell Brook in 2022.

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) that attaches to proteins in the body and effectively signals for muscles to grow. It is used to aid performance by helping athletes build muscle mass and enhance their rate of fat loss, as well as to increase stamina and recovery ability.

Garcia has kept his innocence throughout the proceedings, saying “everybody knows that I don’t cheat.”

In a “SportsCenter” interview earlier this month, Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) said “whoever got caught doping and admitted it? I think [Garcia] would have been the first [athlete] in history.”

Haney, 25, is the former undisputed lightweight champion. He was rated No. 6 by ESPN pound for pound when he entered the ring to fight Garcia.

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