US boxer Garcia denies doping allegations before Haney brawl
Ryan Garcia (L) knocks out Romero Duno during their WBC silver and NABO lightweight title bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, U.S., Nov 2, 2019. (Reuters Photo)


Ryan Garcia, the American super lightweight boxer, denied allegations of using a banned performance-enhancing substance before his victory over WBC world champion Devin Haney in New York last month.

ESPN, citing a leaked letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), reported on Wednesday that Garcia had tested positive for ostarine on the day before and the day of the fight.

Garcia addressed the report in a video posted on X.

"Everybody knows that I don't cheat," the 25-year-old said. "Never taken a steroid ... I don't even know where to get steroids at the end of the day, I barely take supplements. Big lies ..."

Garcia knocked down Haney three times on the way to a majority decision at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, handing his rival the first defeat of his professional career. However, he missed weight and was unable to claim the title.

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator that produces similar results to anabolic steroids, allowing athletes to increase muscle mass, stamina, and fitness. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

VADA, an independent agency based in Las Vegas that conducts testing primarily for boxing and mixed martial arts, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.