Eddie Hearn, a prominent promoter, is advocating for Ryan Garcia to receive a permanent ban if it is proven that he knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs [PEDs] during his bout against Devin Haney on April 20th.
Hearn contends that if Ryan (25-1, 20 KOs) indeed resorted to PEDs to gain an unfair advantage over WBC light welterweight champion Haney (31-1, 15 KOs), he should face a lifetime prohibition from any future fights. Ryan tested positive for the prohibited substance Ostarine in two separate tests conducted on April 19th and 20th.
Hearn’s firm stance stems from Ryan’s commanding performance against Haney, culminating in a dominant 12-round majority decision victory that included three knockdowns at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Even though the referee opted not to penalize Haney for excessive holding, Ryan was well-positioned to secure a stoppage.
While some boxing enthusiasts might perceive Hearn’s demand for a permanent ban as contradictory due to his handling of Conor Benn’s PED-related incidents, Hearn remains resolute in his stance. He expressed disappointment over Ryan’s actions, alleging that Ryan had PEDs in his system during the fight. Hearn is advocating for Haney’s loss to be nullified to preserve his untarnished record.
Nonetheless, the impact of the fight is indelible, with fans recalling the emphatic victory Ryan achieved over Haney. Despite Hearn’s attempts to rectify the situation, the match’s result and its repercussions on Haney’s standing remain unchanged.
Hearn remains hopeful that Ryan is exonerated, but if evidence suggests deliberate cheating through PED usage, Hearn is adamant that Ryan should face a permanent ban from the sport.
