Like the rest of the boxing world, WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis has reacted to news of Ryan Garcia’s failed drugs test, although the verdict of ‘Tank’ is one that definitely differs from the views of the wider public and his fellow competitors.
Ryan Garcia’s behaviour during the build-up to his first world title challenge was confusing to say the least, smoking marijuana, faking his own death and even weighing in on the scales with a ‘beer’ in hand – scales on which he missed the weight by over three pounds and as a result lost the chance to claim Devin Haney’s WBC super-lightweight title.
Yet, on fight night Garcia appeared to silence any doubters who felt that he was not fit to fight by delivering a spellbinding and dominant display over the previously undefeated champion, knocking Haney down for the first, second and third time of his career on his way to a famous majority-decision win, regardless of the asterisk attached due to the physical advantages of his missed weight.
Now, another asterisk has been discovered as Garcia’s win ages like old milk, testing positive for Ostarine both on the day of the weigh-in and on the day of the fight, giving ‘King Ry’ an even larger advantage over his 140lb rival.
As ever, the boxing community has reacted with disgust, branding Garcia as a drug cheat in line with Eddie Hearn’s belief that cases such as this are sadly a case of ‘guilty until proven innocent’, but Gervonta Davis had a different outlook on the news, offering little sympathy for Haney and claiming it is Eddie Hearn who should be banned, assumably for his ongoing defence of Conor Benn who tested positive in 2022.
“They are doing anything to take away the win from Ryan.. if that’s case BAN EDDIE HEARN SILVER SPOON A**!”
“The same punch over and over again.. didn’t make no adjustments.”
Davis was delighted when Garcia got the win despite facing the 25-year-old superstar in a grudge match one year prior, offering to fly over and engage in the post-fight celebrations. However, Garcia is no longer celebrating, with a proposed world title clash with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis up at welterweight now understandably off of the cards for the time being, until the NYSAC come to a decision.
Meanwhile, Davis will return to the ring next month to defend his WBA lightweight crown for the first time, taking on fellow undefeated American Frank Martin on June 15th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with David Benavidez Jr appearing on the undercard.
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