The boxing world was shaken recently, after the news broke that promising young talent, Ryan Garcia was caught in a failed drug test. The situation becomes more concerning as Garcia belongs to the Golden Boy stable, which boasts champions like Canelo Alvarez as co-witnesses.
Reacting to the shocking news, the Mexican superstar and four-division world champion, Canelo Alvarez expressed his feelings. Alvarez, who has been close with Garcia and has even served as his mentor at times, thus finds himself in a rather uncomfortable situation.
“Garcia is a very talented young man. He has all the potential in the world to become a great champion. This is something that disappoints me deeply, not just because he is part of our boxing family, but because it’s not what the sport stands for,” Canelo shared. Garcia, 22, had a meteoric rise in the boxing scene, which now seems to have hit an unfortunate speedbump.
In recent years, the problem of doping in sports has grown significantly more severe. Athletes of all levels are constantly tempted by the possible advantages that performance-enhancing drugs can provide. However, the consequences are often dire, leading to damaged reputations, suspensions, and in some cases, a ban.
In the boxing world, a positive drug test can be something far more serious than in other sports. Boxers who use performance-enhancers put not just their legacy on the line, but also, quite literally, their lives and the lives of their opponents.
Canelo himself faced a similar situation in 2018 when he tested positive for clenbuterol. He received a six-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission and faced severe backlash from fans and other athletes. He claimed it was from consuming contaminated meat, a common problem in Mexico. Since then, Canelo has reportedly passed numerous random drug tests and has rebounded to regain his spot at the top of the boxing world.
“So I think that anyone who is in this position, we need to learn and move forward. We must respect the sport and understand that we are role models for others. I’m disappointed, but I hope he learns from this,” added Canelo.
Although Canelo may have been cleared of his charges by claiming his positive test was due to contaminated meat, the same excuse might not work for Garcia. The substances detected in Garcia’s test are yet to be disclosed, whereas clenbuterol, which Canelo tested positive for, is known to be a common contaminant in meat in Mexico. If proven guilty, Garcia would be facing a hefty fine and possible suspension.
Garcia was scheduled to fight against Javier Fortuna on July 9 for the interim WBC lightweight title. However, with this unfortunate revelation, the status of the fight is currently uncertain.
In the unforgiving world of professional boxing, Ryan Garcia’s future now hangs in the balance. One can only hope for his and the sport’s sake, that this regrettable incident serves as a stern reminder of the toll that doping continues to exact from the world of sports.
“Bitter are the consequences of a sweet cheat,” Canelo remarked at the end of his statement, summing up the sentiments of every honest athlete who wants to see a clean, competitive sport.
Regardless of the outcomes and implications of Ryan Garcia’s failed drug test, the boxing world will keep revolving as it always does. Champions will rise, fall, and in the case of Canelo, rise again. However, the message is resonantly clear – boxing needs clean fighters. With increasing scrutiny and unforgiving penalties, the high-risk gamble of doping becomes an envelope that should not be pushed.
