Daniel Matthews
Updated on June 23, 2024 at 16:33 and June 23, 2024 at 16:43
Ryan Garcia insists he will return to boxing next year after briefly “retiring” to protest against a 12-month doping ban.
The troubled boxer has once again hinted at a move to UFC following his post-fight scandal with Devin Haney.
Garcia He recently reached a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission. He tested positive for the banned substance ostarine during a pre-fight test on April 20.
He will be suspended for one year, forfeit his $1.2 million signing bonus and pay a $10,000 fine, while his win over Haney will be officially declared a no contest.
Garcia claims he is the victim of “contamination” and recently claimed he was retiring from boxing.
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But the 25-year-old claims he is now on leave to ensure his fate is not left in the hands of the authorities.
“I'm retiring for a year so they're not happy about suspending me because that's stupid. I've never used steroids in my life. Everybody can suck dick,” he told TMZ.
“Definitely (hurts). (Devin) is a 'b' and his dad is a 'b'.”
The troubled boxer unsettled fans with a series of nasty social media posts ahead of his fight and was recently arrested in Beverly Hills for felony criminal damage to property.
Garcia has previously hinted at a move into mixed martial arts, specifically proposing a bout with UFC fighter Sean O'Malley, either inside the Octagon or bare-handed.
“I like Suga because he protected me,” Garcia continued, “but if he really wants to fight in the UFC, I'll fight him too. Or fight bare-handed. Shit, I'm ready to fight anybody at this point.”
