Two months after his phenomenal ‘victory’ over Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia seems set to finally know whether or not he will be awarded with the win and whether he will face a ban from the sport, due to his infamous positive drugs test.
Garcia tested positive for performance-enhancing drug ‘Ostarine’ on both the day of the weigh-in and the day of the fight. Ever since, Devin Haney has been campaigning for the Garcia’s majority-decision win to be changed to a disqualification or a no-contest at the very least in order to reinstate his undefeated record, although no verdict has been reached as of yet.
However, Boxing Scene have now reported that the New York State Athletic Commission will meet up this week to come to a decision, unbeknownst to Garcia and his legal team – who continue to plead his innocence.
“The New York State Athletic Commission is set to convene this week to discuss the fate of Ryan Garcia after his three-knockdown triumph over WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney was scarred by two positive drug tests for a banned performance-enhancing substance, Boxing Scene learned Tuesday.
“Garcia’s attorney Darin Chavez told BoxingScene Tuesday that Garcia’s legal team had not been informed of a formal hearing date, a regulator in contact with the New York commission said the matter will be discussed by week’s end.”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman is also tasked with the difficult decision as to whether Garcia should consequently be suspended from fighting in WBC-sanctioned bout, but showed some empathy for the troubled youngster and advised him to live a more consistent and conservative lifestyle.
“We need to help him get it right. When you have money and people around you who love to spend that money and enjoy that money, it’s not good.
“I’ve talked to (Garcia). He needs to understand that there’s a life that can be out there with beauty. He talks a lot about God. He’s very God-oriented, but his actions need to be consistent with a God-ly life. That’s what it seems. He’s likable. I truly hope it will (make a difference).
“He’s a young kid with a style of life that is so fast … social media and the pressure that comes with it. I really hope he will find the way to recover in all aspects.”
If Garcia is able to fight again, his days in the super-lightweight division are surely over after missing weight for the Haney bout by over five pounds. Instead, the 25-year-old has threatened to jump up two weight divisions and take on unified super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora, who is currently being linked to a showdown with Errol Spence Jr.
Meanwhile, Devin Haney will be forced to fight WBC mandatory challenger Sandor Martin if he decides to remain as the super-lightweight champion, although there appears to be a lack of interest in the bout from both himself and Eddie Hearn.
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