Ryan Garcia

WWE and YouTube star Logan Paul spoke out Friday regarding his decision to file a defamation lawsuit against boxer Ryan Garcia.

Paul explained the move in a video posted on X, alleging that Garcia has made false claims about his Prime Hydration company and products:

The fall of Ryan Garcia needs to be studied pic.twitter.com/ZpWDdOAfsh

— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) May 24, 2024

Per TMZ Sports, Paul first announced the lawsuit Thursday on Instagram, saying: "Today we begin to hold those accountable who've damaged our brand for attention while we correct the narrative. We're here to stay and will continue to change the world of hydration with bold flavors and creative innovation."

Garcia has consistently taken shots at Paul's Prime drinks on social media. In the lawsuit it is stated that some of the claims made by Garcia regarding Prime include that it will "kill your guys's brains," "mess up your guys's liver" and "hurt you big time."

Among the grounds stated by Prime in the lawsuit against Garcia are defamation, trade libel, violations of Lanham Act, unfair competition and unjust enrichment.

Paul said in Friday's video that he and Garcia used to be friends, only for Garcia to turn on him and trash his brand. Paul expressed his belief that it is Garcia's way of trying to get revenge after Paul had Garcia on his podcast and questioned Garcia's theory that the Earth is flat.

Additionally, Paul called out Garcia for testing positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance ostarine following his recent win over Prime-sponsored athlete Devin Haney.

In April, Garcia handed Haney his first career loss via majority decision, but Garcia tested positive for ostarine afterward, meaning the result is in line to be overturned.

As part of the lawsuit, it is noted that Garcia wrote on social media: "I drank PRIME and I tested positive for ostarine."

Prime, which is co-founded by Paul and fellow YouTuber KSI, has gained a significant market share of sports drink sales in the United States since its inception in 2022.

Sports business reporter Darren Rovell reported last year that Prime had $51.7 million in sales over a four-week period, placing it sixth among sports drinks in the U.S.

Prime has continued to grow since then, reaching sponsorship deals with superstar athletes such as Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge, and striking an agreement with WWE that allows the Prime logo to be placed in the center of the ring at premium live events.

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Logan Paul and KSI's Prime Hydration company filed a lawsuit against boxer Ryan Garcia for allegedly brand-damaging social media posts, including one in which Garcia wrote he drank Prime and tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Paul issued a statement on Instagram on Thursday saying that Prime is "under attack" and that this lawsuit is an attempt to fight back against false narratives.

"Today we begin to hold those accountable who've damaged our brand for attention while we correct the narrative. We're here to stay and will continue to change the world of hydration with bold flavors and creative innovation," Paul said.

Garcia, who is known for outlandish social media statements, made several disparaging remarks about Prime, including writing that it "makes fish cry" and that it can be "f--king you up."

Paul said the bad publicity amounts to a "smear campaign" because the WWE superstar and social media star is not well-liked.

"We're a threat. PRIME is the most disruptive beverage in history and our competitors feel the pressure. It's likely that we've been targeted as the victim of a smear campaign," Paul wrote.

Prime had over $1 billion in sales last year and is the fastest-rising hydration product on the market.

The ongoing feud between Logan Paul and Ryan Garcia added another chapter on Thursday.

Boxing insider Dan Rafael reported on Thursday that Garcia's B sample collected the day before and day of his April 20 bout against Devin Haney returned positive for the banned substance ostarine.

Paul was quick to chime in posting a series of memes on his Instagram Stories mocking Garcia.

Logan Paul had memes ready for the Ryan Garcia drug test news to drop 😭 pic.twitter.com/QX0PKMhWSN

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 23, 2024

Paul also posted an image of Garcia with the caption "cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater" in what could also be an homage to the promo he cut on Friday Night SmackDown in January when he used the same phrase about Kevin Owens.

Paul helped raise Garcia's online profile when he had him as a guest on his podcast in 2019. In the lead-up to his bout with Haney, Garcia went on a rant by claiming Logan, Jake Paul and KSI were working for Satan.

After his win over Haney, Garcia once again went after the Paul brothers and KSI. He wrote on X urging people not to drink Prime, the sports and energy drink promoted and founded by the trio.

Don’t drink prime

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) April 21, 2024

Garcia has also claimed he already whooped Paul in a past sparring session between the two.

King Ryan could be facing a fine and/or suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission in the wake of his positive drug test. His win over Haney will also be overturned to either a no-contest or disqualification victory for Haney.

Paul, who is the reigning United States champion, is preparing to take on Cody Rhodes for the undisputed WWE championship in the main event of the King and Queen of the Ring premium live event on Saturday.

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Ryan Garcia's musings on social media raised some questions leading up to his victory over Devin Haney. After testing positive for a banned substance, he's once again choosing to post through it.

ESPN's Mike Coppinger first reported on May 1 that Garcia was flagged for a positive test, and boxing insider Dan Rafael followed up Thursday to report a B sample yielded the same outcome.

That apparently prompted Garcia to write "I f--king love" steroids in a since-deleted message on X (warning: link contains profanity).

Garcia previously denied taking a banned substance, calling it "fake news like if I was Donald Trump." He also asserted that "don't even know where to get steroids at the end of the day" (warning: video contains profanity):

Fake news like if I was Donald trump pic.twitter.com/PVg5EW7yLd

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 2, 2024

It's safe to assume he was speaking tongue in cheek with Thursday's reaction, but making light of a development that nullifies the biggest victory of your career is a puzzling call.

The 25-year-old doesn't seem to grasp the full ramifications of his positive drug tests, either. In another since-deleted post, he wrote, "I don't care I'll never make money again with boxing."

Garcia entered his fight with Haney as the clear underdog, in part due to his behavior leading up to the fight. Beyond what he said on social media, he was more than three pounds over the weight limit and didn't exactly take the weigh-in seriously.

Ryan Garcia (+600 ML) chugged a beer during the ceremonial weigh-ins 😭

(via @BOXINGnBBQ)pic.twitter.com/kKlOBlMGpE

— br_betting (@br_betting) April 19, 2024

After Garcia outperformed Haney in the ring, it seemed fair to wonder how much of this was all an act to lead people to underestimate him more. Considering he purportedly bet $2 million on the fight, widening the odds worked to his benefit.

That theory became a lot less plausible in light of his positive tests.

Ryan Garcia's drug test conducted as part of the sample collected for his bout with Devin Haney has been confirmed to be positive.

Per boxing insider Dan Rafael, Garcia's B sample matched his original sample as being positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine.

Garcia defeated Haney by majority decision on April 20, but he wasn't eligible to win the WBC super lightweight title after missing weight by 3.2 pounds.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association said a letter sent on May 1 to all parties involved informing them that Garcia's urine test collected the day before and day of the fight tested positive for ostarine.

In a video posted on X, Garcia denied that he did anything to cheat: "Everybody knows that I don't cheat. Never taken a steroid. ... I don't even know where to get steroids. ... I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat his ass."

Per ESPN's Mike Coppinger, Garcia formally requested his B sample to be analyzed. His attorney, Darin Chavez, told Coppinger the sample would be opened and analyzed on May 22, with Chavez present to witness the examination.

Coppinger reported on May 14 that Haney sent a letter to the New York State Athletic Commission formally requesting his loss be overturned to a disqualification stemming from Garcia's failed doping test.

While the commission has yet to announce a decision, the result of the fight will be changed either to a no-contest or a disqualification.

A disqualification win would allow Haney to retain his undefeated record in professional competition (32-0). A no-contest would keep him unbeaten in 32 professional bouts.

Garcia knocked down Haney three times in the 12-round bout. Two judges scored the fight 114-110 and 115-109 for Garcia, with the third judge scoring it a 112-112 draw.

Haney initially called for a rematch in a "FAIR fight within an agreed weight," but he changed his stance in the wake of Garcia's positive drug test because of how "dangerous" it is to step in the ring with an opponent who could potentially be doping.

King Ryan could be facing a fine and/or suspension as a result of his confirmed positive drug test.

Ryan Garcia could be facing a suspension if his B-sample comes back positive, but that isn't stopping him from trying to book a fight against Errol Spence Jr. after the Truth previously dissed him.

Responding to a fan on X, Spence said he would "legit beat (Garcia's) ass," but he doesn't take tune-up fights.

👎🏾 I’ll legit beat his ass at the (at&t stadium at 154-160) off the strength of him testing positive but ion take tune ups 😒 https://t.co/X44ZK8bvX3

— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) May 8, 2024

This led to Garcia firing off a series of posts in which he said he authorized his lawyers to send Spence an offer for a fight, notified Golden Boy Promotions of the bout and sent a mock-up poster teasing an Aug. 10 date at AT&T Stadium.

I have authorized my lawyer to send ERROL nocents an offer

LETS GO START THE RUMBLE

I GIVE YOU MY WHOLE WORD THAT THIS IS MY NEXT FIGHT UNLESS HE RUNS

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 9, 2024

Oscar has been notified for Spence fight

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 9, 2024

Bye bye Spence

August 10th

Dallas cowboys stadium

SELL OUT CROWD pic.twitter.com/dKNVMg8Mj5

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 9, 2024

You will make a lot of money if you bet I Ko Errol Spence Jr just saying

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 9, 2024

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association notified the camps for Garcia and Devin Haney that the Flash tested positive for ostarine in a urine sample collected before their Aug. 20 bout.

In a letter issued on Monday that was obtained by ESPN's Mike Coppinger, Garcia requested his B-sample be analyzed.

Darin Chavez, Garcia's attorney, told Coppinger the B-sample will be analyzed on May 22. He also said his client returned negative tests "17 days before" the positive sample was collected.

Garcia has denied any wrongdoing, saying he's "never taken a steroid. ... I don't even know where to get steroids. ... I barely take supplements."

Coppinger noted if Garcia's B-sample returns positive, his camp will need to "present an argument" to the New York State Athletic Commission proving his innocence.

The potential discipline for Garcia if he's found guilty will include a suspension, fine and his win over Haney will be overturned to a no-contest.

Based on Garcia's issues making weight to fight Haney as a super lightweight, a bout with Spence would presumably be easier for him. Spence has fought as a 147-pound welterweight for his entire professional career.

Garcia was already within the 147-pound maximum for welterweight when he stepped on the scales leading up to the Haney fight.

AT&T Stadium will already be set up for boxing with Jake Paul and Mike Tyson set to hold their showdown in that building on July 20. It seems unlikely to happen given everything going on with Garcia right now, but stranger things have happened in the boxing world.

Spence hasn't fought since suffering his first career loss against Terence Crawford on July 29. There were rumblings about a rematch between the two stars, but Crawford is instead expected to move up to junior middleweight to challenge WBA champion Israil Madrimov on Aug. 3.

Ahead of Saturday's deadline, Ryan Garcia has requested to have his B-sample tested after his original test came back positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine leading up to his fight with Devin Haney.

Per ESPN's Mike Coppinger, Garcia made his request in a letter sent on Monday.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed all parties that Garcia tested positive for ostarine in urine samples collected prior to the fight in a letter obtained by Coppinger.

Results from Garcia's sample weren't known until after the fight. The Flash denied any wrongdoing in a video statement on X.

"Everybody knows that I don't cheat," Garcia said. "Never taken a steroid. ... I don't even know where to get steroids. ... I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat his ass."

Golden Boy Promotions, Garcia's promoter, issued a statement supporting him: "Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances— and we believe him. We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process."

Official rules gave Garcia 10 days to request his B-sample be tested. If the sample returns a positive test, Coppinger noted Garcia and his legal team must present an argument to prove his innocence.

"He faces a suspension and a fine, and the result of his decision win over Haney will be overturned if he's found guilty," Coppinger wrote. "The New York State Athletic Commission told ESPN last week that it 'is in communication with VADA and is reviewing the matter.'"

There was some controversy prior to the fight because Garcia missed the 140-pound weight limit by 3.2 pounds at the official weigh-in. The bout was allowed to go on, but Garcia wasn't eligible to win the WBC junior welterweight title and forfeited $600,000 of his purse.

Garcia stunned Haney by knocking him down three different times and winning the 12-round bout via majority decision. The loss was the first for Haney after a 31-0 start to his career.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis hasn't fought since he defeated Ryan Garcia in April 2023, but it sounds like another fight against Garcia is intriguing to the WBA lightweight champion.

Davis said during an appearance on the Cigar Talk podcast that he'd be open to a rematch against Garcia, but he called for the fight to take place at 140 pounds when he was told Garcia floated the idea of fighting at a catchweight of 145 pounds.

"He's not even at 145, that's not even a weight," Davis said around the 6:00 mark. "Why it can't be 140? Yeah, I'll fight Ryan [again]."

Garcia may have already answered Davis' question, as he failed to make the 140-pound limit for his fight against Devin Haney last month. He weighed in at 143 pounds and had to fork over $1.5 million as part of a bet with Haney as well as $600,000 from his fight purse.

Garcia went on to put on the best performance of his career, earning a majority decision win over Haney after scoring three knockdowns. However, it was announced after the fight Garcia tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine, so Haney is calling for the fight to be ruled a no-contest.

Davis fights at 135 pounds, so there's virtually no chance of Garcia cutting to that weight. When they first fought, they met at a catchweight of 136 pounds with a 10-pound rehydration clause, and some pointed to that as being part of the reason Garcia folded on a body shot in the seventh round that gave Davis the TKO victory.

Davis is set to be back in action on June 15 against Frank Martin, so he will undoubtedly have a slew of options available if he successfully makes it through that fight.

Boxer Ryan Garcia responded Friday to UFC star Conor McGregor's scathing take on his positive performance-enhancing drug test prior to his victory over Devin Haney last month.

In a since-deleted post on X (h/t Sean O'Brien of TalkSport), McGregor expressed dismay over Garcia's positive test, suggesting that he didn't want to be associated with Garcia in any way moving forward:

"Cheated the weight and was juiced, lifetime ban. Sad to see, sad to say. Sad and a bit sick. Don't come near me if I see you ever Ryan Garcia. I am actually disgusted.

"This ostarine reminds me of Sean O'Malley was on that as well. I don't like this, I'll bust yous both up, do you want a spar I will set flight right now for you both for a full on spar each. Hotel, black forge inn the lot. #LetsSparOMalley and #Garcia two little ostarine heads I'll ride you both like yous are ostriches.

"Wtf is up. What do you think you are at? If I was Haney's dad you're dead no matter what for doing that. Crazy. What the f--k happened to you, you little fool. Get your head together cos I'm gonna smash it in with elbows if you don't.

"Fair play Devin well done. Your performance has just become even more heroic! Bravo. GET YOUR HEAD TOGETHER OR KILL YOURSELF."

In a subsequent post on X, Garcia called out McGregor, accused him of using PEDs and threatened to break his ankle:

If I see Connor mcgregor

I’m going to break your weak ass ankle

You ran from being tested bc you were on Roids

Roadhouse or ROIDRAGE

FUDGE CONNOR CACA BRAIN

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 3, 2024

Garcia shockingly beat the previously undefeated Haney on April 20 by majority decision, but ESPN's Mike Coppinger reported Wednesday that Garcia's drug test, taken one day before the fight, came back positive for the PED ostarine.

While Garcia can request to have his B-sample tested, he stands to have his win overturned if that comes back positive as well.

In a video posted on X after news of his positive test was first reported Wednesday, Garcia denied having ever taken steroids.

Garcia was originally supposed to challenge Haney for the WBC super lightweight title, but Garcia came in more than three pounds over the 140-pound limit, so the title could not be put on the line. The two sides agreed to a revised contract and had the fight anyway.

Despite Haney being a decided favorite, Garcia knocked him down three times en route to victory.

After Garcia's win, McGregor was one of the most high-profile names to praise him, writing the following in a since-deleted tweet (h/t Alexander Behunin of MMAMania.com):

"Yup Jesus and the sesh! Ya's know f--k all, peasants, stay out of our ear! Well in Garcia. An amazing fight from two champions! Have now fought each other 7 times! That's incredible. Some are just born to fight! Some aren't. If you aren't be sure to be a good gatherer cos I be hungry. God speed to both men and teams in this crazy world and congrats Ryan Garcia! Tonight is your night, I knew when he fought Tank that this guy was electric."

McGregor is a combat sports icon, as the 35-year-old Irishman owns a career MMA record of 22-6 and has held the UFC featherweight and lightweight titles.

McGregor has not competed since his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, during which he suffered a broken leg. However, he is scheduled to make his return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June.

McGregor does have one pro boxing match to his credit, as he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017. Perhaps he and Garcia could settle their differences in the ring at some point.

Boxer Devin Haney ripped San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel in a post on X on Friday morning after Samuel seemingly posted about Haney's recent loss to Ryan Garcia.

On Thursday afternoon, Samuel made a post that didn't specifically mention either Haney or Garcia, but he seemed to be referring to their fight.

Either way he got outboxed

— Deebo (@19problemz) May 2, 2024

Samuel posted that after ESPN's Mike Coppinger reported Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance ostarine one day before his majority-decision win over Haney on April 20.

In response to Samuel's post, Haney wrote: "[Expletive] like u can't fight a lick. A [expletive] would real life punch on you in real life."

Haney entered his fight against Garcia with a perfect career record of 31-0, and he was the reigning WBC super lightweight champion.

The title was supposed to be on the line, but Garcia weighed in more than three pounds over the agreed-upon weight. Even so, the two sides struck an agreement to make the fight happen, but the title was not up for grabs.

Haney was a massive favorite to beat Garcia and remain undefeated, but Garcia shockingly knocked him down three times. One judge ruled the fight a draw, but the other two ruled in favor of Garcia, giving him the biggest victory of his career.

Per Coppinger, Garcia has 10 days to request that his B-sample gets tested. If that B-sample also comes back positive, his win is in line to be overturned.

On Wednesday night, Garcia posted a video on X in which he denied that he had taken a banned substance (Some language NSFW):

Fake news like if I was Donald trump pic.twitter.com/PVg5EW7yLd

— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 2, 2024

Garcia said he has never taken a steroid, and he questioned why the positive test was not announced until after the fight.

Samuel seemingly belongs to the camp that believes the fight result would have been the same regardless of whether Garcia took PEDs. That clearly drew the ire of Haney.