Garcia Passes Lie Detector Test to Deny Haney Doping Claims
In a bid to clear his name, Ryan Garcia recently underwent a voluntary lie detector test to address the doping scandal from his 2024 fight against Devin Haney.
Garcia had tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine, which led to his victory being overturned to a No Contest and resulted in a one-year suspension from boxing. During the polygraph, Garcia was asked directly if he cheated during the bout. He responded with a firm “No,” and the examiner concluded that his answer was truthful. While polygraph results are generally not admissible in court or recognized by official athletic commissions, Garcia shared these results publicly to maintain his innocence.
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Implications
From a strictly official standpoint, test makes zero difference. Athletic commissions, such as the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) which oversaw the Haney bout, and anti-doping agencies like VADA or WADA, operate on a principle of strict liability. This means that if a banned substance is found in an athlete’s system, the athlete is responsible regardless of how it got there or whether they “intended” to cheat. A polygraph “proving” he didn’t mean to do it doesn’t erase the physical presence of Ostarine in his samples.
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While the test won’t overturn his suspension or reinstate his win, its true implication lies in brand preservation. Garcia has a massive social media following, and for many fans, “passing” a lie detector test provides enough narrative cover to remain loyal. By sharing the results, Garcia is attempting to shift the narrative.
The primary reason this doesn’t change the official verdict is the inherent unreliability of polygraphs. They do not detect “lies”; they detect physiological stress (heart rate). If a person genuinely believes they are innocent—perhaps because they believe the substance was in a contaminated supplement they took unknowingly—they will likely “pass” the test because they aren’t consciously lying.
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By choosing a voluntary test with his own examiner, Garcia controls the narrative. This is vital in the run-up to his fight with WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios. The fight is on course for February 21, as Ryan has the chance to win a world title, putting the memories of his loss to Rolando Romero behind him.
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