Is Ryan Garcia considering a career change?
The 25-year-old boxer, who initially won a decision against previously unbeaten Devin Haney in April before failing a drugs test and receiving a one-year suspension from the boxing federation on Thursday, reacted to the news by re-fluttering the idea of becoming boxing's first big-name boxer to move to mixed martial arts.
Garcia denied allegations that he knowingly took the banned substance Ostarine and announced he was “officially retiring” in a Socira Media post this week. The Garcia vs. Haney bout is now marked as a no contest.
“Hey look at this crybaby getting his wish,” Garcia wrote on social media about Haney. “I didn't cheat. They suspended me for a year. I hate you hypocrites. Boxing sucks, I'm going to UFC.”
For now, it remains to be seen whether this will be solidified, but since the suspension imposed on the boxer by the New York State Athletic Commission also applies to MMA bouts, Garcia will not be eligible to compete in a hypothetical MMA bout until it is over.
Garcia has frequently hinted at a move to mixed martial arts and has been rumored to be facing UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley.
But there are some big hurdles that must be negotiated, including Garcia's suspension and various promotional rights within the boxing world.
As part of the terms of his suspension, Garcia must forfeit the official prize money of $1.1 million from the Haney fight.
