Garcia denies steroid use after positive test report

Ryan Garcia has denied taking performance-enhancing steroids after testing positive for a banned substance before his win over Devin Haney.

Sanctioning body the WBC confirmed it had “received notification” from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) that Garcia returned “adverse findings” in tests taken in April.

ESPN has reported that it obtained a letter, external from Vada showing Garcia’s positive result for ostarine.

The samples were allegedly taken the day before and the day of his win over Haney in April, but the results came through afterwards.

“Everybody knows that I don’t cheat,” Garcia, 25, wrote on X.

“Never taken a steroid, I don’t even know where to get steroids. I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat him.”

Garcia has 10 days to request for his B sample to be tested.

BBC Sport asked the New York State Athletic Commission to comment on the reported failed tests and whether the fight with Haney could be ruled no contest.

“Safety, fairness, and integrity in professional athletic competition are essential. The Commission is in communication with Vada and is reviewing the matter,” it replied.

BBC Sport has also contacted Vada for comment.

Ostarine, which is non-steroidal and used to support muscle growth, has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list since 2008. It is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM).