Top boxers who have been caught using PEDs: Ryan Garcia, Canelo, Fury and more

As strength training and the use of substances to help fighters prepare became more prevalent from the 1980s on, so too became boxers who began to be caught using Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs), such as Ibutamoren MK677.

Boxers Caught Using PEDs: A Look at Notable Cases

Ryan Garcia 2024

Garcia scored the most impressive victory of his career in April defeating Devin Haney in a New York pay-per-view main event. But, the celebration was brief, with Garcia having tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine not only on the day before the bout but also immediately after the fight. “Kingry” continued to show worrying behaviour following the positive test news and the 26-year-old later agreed to be suspended for one year retroactive to the fight date, forfeiting his base salary of over $1 million, and his majority decision win be overturned to a no contest.

Canelo Álvarez 2018

He tested positive for clenbuterol after his first epic battle with Gennady Golovkin, which he attributed to contaminated meat, leading to a suspension and angering his opponent. A statement at the time from Alvarez’s promoter, Golden Boy read: “As part of the voluntary testing program that Canelo Alvarez insisted on ahead of his May 5 fight, one of his results came back positive for trace levels of clenbuterol, consistent with meat contamination that has impacted dozens of athletes in Mexico over the last years.” 

Tyson Fury 2016

Fury faced scrutiny regarding performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) throughout his career. In 2016, he tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone, which led to a suspension from boxing. Fury attributed the positive test to several factors, including possible contamination and weight fluctuations. “The Gypsy King” later went through a very public battle with his mental health before making a triumphant return to the ring, which concluded with his historic battle against Deontay Wilder.

Antonio Tarver 2015

Ahead of his bout against Steve Cunningham on August 14, 2015, Antonio Tarver tested positive for synthetic testosterone. This was the second time he had failed a drug test. The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board suspended “Magic Man” for six months, fining him $50,000, per Chris Mannix. The former multiple light heavyweight champion was due to return to boxing in 2021 to face former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren – but was ultimately not cleared by the Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission.

James Toney 2005

He tested positive for steroids after his fight against John Ruiz in 2005, leading to a suspension. The New York Athletic Commission changed the outcome to a no-contest, taking the win away from Toney, and banning him for 90 days. “Lights Out” maintained his innocence by claiming that it came from steroids that were given to him by a doctor who was treating an injury that Toney suffered during his fight against Rydell Booker.