By Norm Frauenheim –
LAS VEGAS – Ryan Garcia, self-proclaimed royalty, has been KingRy. Then, KingFly
These days, call him KingChaos.
The chaos, a kingdom seemingly without borders, continued to spread this week amid an explosive report Wednesday that he tested positive for a banned performance-enhancer days before his stunning upset of Devin Haney.
The news, first reported by longtime boxing journalist Dan Rafael, broke within hours after the King’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya got into a profane, edgy exchange with Canelo Alvarez at a newser just a few days before Canelo’s super-middleweight fight against fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
But the De La Hoya-Canelo confrontation was quickly pushed aside, if not exactly forgotten, by Garcia, who increasingly dominates and disrupts all the oversees.
About twelve hours after the PED story hit amid the usual collection of allegations, denials, conspiracy theories and ominous questions, there was another news conference at the MGM Grand, this time for the Canelo-Munguia undercard.
The room was full. The undercard fighters were on stage, front and center. But the talk was all about the King’s latest episode.
For now, we only know that, according to a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, an anabolic derivative twice in the days before opening bell against Haney on April 20 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
A second banned substance, 19-norandrosterone, was also reported, but still not proven, according to reports. Further tests are planned.
In other words, this story is just developing.
De La Hoya’s company, Golden Boy Promotions, issued a statement:
“Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances—and we believe him. We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process.”
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYAC) also said it will investigate.
‘The Commission is in communication with VADA and is reviewing the matter,’’ it said in a statement.
Even Canelo — composed instead of angry — peached patience.
“Let’s wait,’’ he said Thursday in an interview along radio row.
Canelo has been there, of course. The Nevada Athletic Commission suspended him for six months in 2018 after he tested positive for clenbuterol, a steroid found in contaminated Mexican beef.
He was branded a cheater then. De La Hoya reminded him of that Wednesday, saying he tested positive twice.
That was wild, but not as wild as the ongoing controversy surrounding Garcia, who said he never cheated and that the story was a fabrication.
“Fake news,’’ Garcia posted, using a well-worn term so often heard from a former President and presumptive nominee for another term, running this time – pundits say – as a wannabe King.
Garcia’s posts were met with some inevitable skepticism by a social media population that only Gallup can count. Garcia followers had watched him produce countless bizarre posts over the weeks since the Haney fight was announced in late February.
To wit: There’s Garcia, apparently posing with a joint. There’s Garcia, posing with an empty bottle of alcohol.
Even on the day before overwhelming Haney, Garcia stepped on the scale for a mock weigh-in after coming in 3.2 pounds above the mandatory 140 at the real weigh-in.
On the scale, he grasped what looked to be a beer bottle. Maybe, it was Pale Ale. Maybe, air. Maybe, apple juice. Whatever was in that bottle, he chugged.
It’s no wonder there’s skepticism on social media. His followers would have been surprised if he had not tested positive for something.
For now, however, only the process can play out. If it proves the PED abuse, then it’s time for the next step. The UK Anti-Doping Agency suspended Amir Kahn for two years after he tested positive for Ostarine after a loss to Kell Brook in March 2018. Khan never fought again.
It’s just one precedent. But, for now, let’s heed Canelo’s wisdom.
Let’s wait.
