Will Ryan Garcia Survive Drug Testing for the Haney Rumble?
After playing footsie in the media for years, popular 140-pound contender “King Ry” Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KO’s) will finally face WBC junior welterweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (31-0, 15 KO’s) this April 20. Yet, controversial figure and SNAC founder Victor Conte seems to be implying that Garcia may not be on the level come fight night.
For the impending physical altercation, Garcia’s only real requirement is showing up on April 20 and making weight the night before. This was not the case two prizefights ago versus WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis. In order to slide in the ring with Davis, King Ry was forced to bend the knee and submit to a rehydration clause.
Since losing to Tank by way of seventh round knockout, when questioned about it, Garcia rarely misses an opportunity to highlight the required stipulation and its withering effects. With Haney, the Golden Boy Promotions fighter will be allowed to weigh-in then swell up to any weight that he and his team deem fit.
SHOTS FIRED!!
In a recent post, Conte supplied Haney a virtual clap on the back when referencing his dedication to the thorough VADA drug testing protocols. He did not share the same enthusiasm or information about Ryan Garcia.
This coupled with Haney’s fresh accusation that King Ry parties like a rock star by toting cocaine may lead to raised eyebrows and head scratching from outside observers.
TOUCH YOUR NOSE AND WALK THE LINE
While this is all speculation, the insinuations are not exactly far-fetched. Doping is a huge issue in the sport that has seen many big-time fighters such as Shane Mosley Jr., Billy Joe Saunders, Roy Jones Jr., Dillian Whyte, Oscar Valdez, Jarrell Miller, Tyson Fury and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Is Garcia above any of these warriors? So, while we can’t go pointing fingers willy-nilly, at this stage, no one can just be assumed to be inherently above suspicion.
Garcia has also admitted to suffering from mental health issues that have hampered and delayed his career. Along these same lines, King Ry has openly confessed to drinking in camp to find some measure of mental relief. Said to say, one chemical safety blanket can easily be traded for another. Even Garcia’s Golden Boy Promotions promoter and former six-division champion Oscar De La Hoya has wrestled with a host of controversial topics over the years such as chemical addiction, including cocaine, under public scrutiny for years.
In the end, this is all speculation and merely inflammatory talking points. Yet, this is also why testing is so important, because it goes a long way in removing any doubt or gray areas. Moving forward, however, it will be interesting to see how juicy the testing results and rebuttals may be! To stay on top of it all, stick close to 3Kings Boxing.
