Ryan Garcia had to undergo tests on his ‘brain function’ in the build-up to his fight against Devin Haney, according to a new report.
Garcia was accused of drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, causing the New York commission to travel to his training camp to test him for mental health reasons.
However, he passed the evaluation, and is clear to fight Haney – even if the contest will not be a title fight because Garcia came in overweight.
ESPN reported that the 25-year-old passed a standard competency test, as well as analysis of his brain function.
The commission said it ‘works to protect the health and safety of all participants in combative sports and to preserve the integrity of combative sport competition in New York State’.
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Ryan Garcia underwent tests on his ‘brain function’ in the build-up to the Devin Haney fight
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The Barclays Center clash will not be a title fight because Garcia was three pounds overweight
Ryan Garcia wants to sue NYC Commissioner for mental evaluation
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman said: ‘I am certain that he’s in great condition for the fight. His trainer vouches for that and he’s looking good.’
He added that the concerns he had over Garcia six weeks ago have ‘disappeared’.
Garcia has repeatedly denied drug use, saying that he is ‘not on coke’ and has ‘never even thought to do drugs’.
He initially refused the wellbeing test, saying: ‘I felt demeaned… I definitely felt isolated and I felt targeted. I didn’t feel good about them wanting to do a mental evaluation.’
He also posted a video of himself making threats to the Commission, revealing: ‘I’m gonna sue you for defamation of character actually’.
The New York State Athletic Commission could not confirm Garcia’s claim because it is restricted by privacy issues.
On Friday, Garcia and Haney had their weigh-in for the clash at the Barclays Center, but it won’t be a title fight because Garcia was three pounds over the 140-pound limit.
Garcia reportedly agreed to pay Haney $500,000 for every extra pound, which would be a $1.5 million payout if the wager was legitimate.
The two months leading up to the fight week have included topics relating to demonic possession, UFOs, and Garcia’s divorce from the mother of his newborn son.
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Garcia posed topless at the Empire State Building ahead of the high-profile fight in New York
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Haney claimed he has ‘lost a lot of respect’ for Garcia in the run-up to their Brooklyn bout
He accused an anonymous family member of sexual abuse, flirted with a reporter, proposed to an Australian porn queen (she said yes!) and insisting on X (formerly Twitter) that ‘TUPAC IS ALIVE AND WELL’.
In an exclusive interview with MailSport, Haney claimed he has ‘lost a lot of respect’ for Garcia in the run-up to their Brooklyn bout, and had no interest in his opponent’s erratic behaviour.
