Ryan Garcia is officially cleared to fight.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has officially removed the once-troubled star boxer from suspension. Garcia, 24-1 (20 KOs; 1 no contest), was required to meet the terms of a settlement reached with the commission stemming from a positive drugs test from his 12-round fight with Devin Haney, 31-0 (15 KOs; 1NC) on April 20, 2024.
The development comes just ahead of his planned showdown with Rolando Romero, 16-2 (13 KOs) atop a DAZN Pay-Per-View from New York City’s Times Square on May 2.
“The suspension has been lifted,” a spokesperson for NYSAC confirmed to BoxingScene. “All conditions of the consent order have been met.”
Garcia, 26, initially earned a majority decision over Haney at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The verdict was changed to a no contest when it emerged that Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine, in samples collected through testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
The results also confirmed a separate sample collected by the state commission. Garcia – through his legal team – reached a settlement with the commission which left him banned from competing anywhere in the US for a minimum of one year, along with a $10,000 fine – the maximum allowed by NYSAC – and full forfeiture of his seven-figure purse.
An undisclosed portion of the purse was paid to Haney, who was additionally compensated when Garcia was more than three pounds overweight, an infraction that cost the California native a shot at Haney’s WBC junior-welterweight title.
Even after Garcia was declared the winner on fight night, Haney retained the belt. The unbeaten two-division champ would subsequently vacate in lieu of a mandatory title defense against Sandor Martin, for which he felt the payday from the purse bid fell short of his true worth.
In that vein, Haney also filed a civil complaint against Garcia, alleging battery, fraud and breach of contract.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the case has since been settled and will be dismissed in May.
Meanwhile, Garcia’s signed consent order with NYSAC carried conditions for his career to move forward beyond the minimum one-year suspension period.
Garcia was required to submit to random drugs testing during that time, to prove that he was a clean boxer. Not only did he not immediately comply, but Garcia – and promoter Golden Boy Promotions – repeatedly contended that he was the victim of substance contamination.
His stance changed earlier in 2025, when Garcia was able to strike a deal with Riyadh Season and its leader Turki Alalshikh. The pact led to his headlining the upcoming May 2 Ring Magazine show, but – as is the case with all Riyadh Season promotions – requires the participants to commit to VADA testing.
Garcia was apprehensive about working with the agency but ultimately conceded – though, not without reinforcements. Supplemental testing was conducted by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) – his home state governing body – which helped end his suspension, as the findings were properly reported to NYSAC.
Neither Garcia nor Haney have fought since their controversial clash but will share a card next weekend. Garcia and Romero will meet for the WBA “World” welterweight title in the main event. Haney will face former unified WBC and WBO junior-welterweight titlist Jose Ramirez in the co-feature, in the welterweight debut for both boxers.
Wins for Garcia and Haney will reportedly lead to a rematch later in 2025 to officially launch the year’s Riyadh Season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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