feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

At this point, Ryan Garcia is getting more clout for testing positive for the PED compared to his actual win over Devin Haney. However, legendary boxer and former world champion ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard has cast a cloud of confusion with his bizarre take on the whole situation. On May 1, test results from VADA revealed ‘King Ry’ has tested positive for ostarine.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

That too, one day before and on the day of the fight, which saw most people turning on the Victorville native. Nevertheless, his B-Sample was opened for analysis yesterday that will dictate his future in the sport. Amid all this controversy, Fight Hype caught up with the five division champion on his birthday to get his thoughts on the matter, but what he said was confusing, to say the least! 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sugar Ray Leonard claims he likes what’s happening

Speaking to the legendary boxer, the reporter from Fight Hype brought up Garcia’s precarious situation, probing ‘Sugar’ for a juicy reaction to the controversy. However, Leonard’s response didn’t quite make sense. Leonard said, I like what I see and you know it’s all here [points to head] it’s here [points to heart] and it’s here [points to reporter].”

article-image

Getty

Perhaps to avoid saying the wrong thing, Leonard came up with the response, so the reporter tried again, asking whether he didn’t have any opinion on the matter. To this, ‘Sugar’ reminded the reporter about how big of a fan he is of the sport. You know, I’m such a big fan. I love boxing. Boxing made me who I am today, so you know, just watching—things do happen,” said Leonard. 

Get the EssentiallySports Daily Newsletter. Stay ahead of the game with daily updates, exclusive stories, expert takes, and the biggest moments from the world's most popular sports.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sugar Ray Leonard might not have had much to say about Garcia’s positive test results, but Haney, on the other hand, had a lot! 

Devin Haney rips into Ryan Garcia after A-Sample test results

Immediately after the finding set the whole internet on fire, Mike Coppinger of ESPN revealed Haney’s official statement on Garcia’s PED debacle. Feeling betrayed by the findings, Haney said, It’s unfortunate Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty.”

It’s worth mentioning that ‘The Dream’ Haney would later go on to appeal to get his loss erased from his record. Nevertheless, Haney added, “Ryan owes the fans an apology… We put our lives on the line to entertain people for a living. You don’t play boxing.” Suggesting the revelation about Garcia puts their fight under a different light, Haney said, “People die in this sport. This isn’t a joking matter.”

Since then, Ryan Garcia has accused Haney’s corner of concocting the whole thing with Victor Conte, who Haney is collaborating with for sports nutrition. Also, Garcia has tested negative for a second substance originally found in his system. But only the results from his B-Sample will clear his name entirely. 

Several people in the community, including experts and boxers, have shared their thoughts on the positive doping test results from Ryan Garcia. However, by far, ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard’s response was the most bizarre. What do you think? Was Leonard trying to dodge the question?

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Sudeep Sinha

4,781 Articles

Sudeep Sinha is a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the storylines around the sport's biggest events and names. He previously spent over two years writing in the Boxing department, where his fight-night coverage was featured on Sports Illustrated, Daily Mail, and Yahoo Sports, including his reporting on Ryan Garcia's career arc. On the golf beat, Sudeep covers tour news, player form, and the season-long storylines that shape the men's and women's game, from majors to the ongoing shifts in how professional golf is structured. That same appetite for detail that made his boxing coverage stand out now shows up in how he breaks down a swing change or a schedule shakeup for hardcore and casual fans alike. Outside work, he splits his time between reading, cycling, and following combat sports.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Snigdhaa Jaiswal

ADVERTISEMENT