Last month, there was a surprising twist to the news when it was revealed that boxer Ryan Garcia had failed drug tests before his three-knockdown upset of Devin Haney.
Haney collaborates with Victor Conte, the mastermind behind the BALCO steroids scandal that occurred 20 years ago. This scandal had a negative impact on the reputations and achievements of renowned athletes like Barry Bonds and Marion Jones, among many others.
According to ESPN and Sports Illustrated, Conte, 73, claimed that he played a role in establishing the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), the non-profit organization responsible for conducting the two drug tests that Garcia failed prior to his fight with Haney. Conte has pointed to his involvement with VADA as proof of his dedication to combating drug cheaters.
Margaret Goodman, the founder of VADA, did not respond to USA TODAY Sports’ request for comment that was sent via email on Wednesday evening. However, Ryan Connolly, an attorney representing VADA, refuted Conte’s claim on Thursday.
According to Connolly, Victor Conte did not play a role in the establishment of VADA. However, Conte mentioned in an interview with USA TODAY Sports that he did offer consultation to VADA and referred some boxers to the drug testing program. He made it clear that he has no ownership or control over VADA, emphasizing that there is no connection between him and the organization.
According to Connolly, VADA does not publicly disclose the analytical results of tested athletes. Instead, all results are promptly reported directly to the relevant commission(s) and/or organization(s) responsible for managing such information.
According to ESPN, Garcia’s positive drug test for ostarine, a banned substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list, was revealed in a letter from VADA.
Garcia adamantly denied ever using steroids.
“I recently came across a video posted on social media by Garcia, where he discussed the connections between Devin Haney, Victor Conte, and VADA,” Garcia stated. “It appears that Haney is closely associated with Conte, who has a history of being involved in cheating scandals.”
After being involved in the BALCO scandal and serving a four-month prison sentence, Conte found his place in the world of boxing. He proudly claims to have trained 28 champion fighters, showcasing his dedication and expertise in the sport.
Devin Haney stands out as one of the best in the field.
Devin Haney endorses Victor Conte product
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In a video featured on SNAC’s website, Haney openly supports one of Conte’s supplements.
“Victor Conte’s Fighter Training Stack has taken my performance to new heights,” Haney enthusiastically shares. “I’ve experienced a significant improvement in my overall well-being. My energy levels have skyrocketed, and I feel incredible. Join me, Devin Haney, in embracing the power of SNAC. You won’t be disappointed!”
Conte revealed that he has collaborated with Haney for a solid eight years, having initially been introduced through Shawn Porter. He mentioned that he was not taken aback when the Haneys reached out to him upon discovering Garcia’s positive drug tests.
“I’m the primary contact on Devin’s team when it comes to this matter,” Conte shared with USA TODAY Sports.
Bill Haney, the trainer of his son Devin, did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY Sports. Despite attempts to reach him via voicemail and text message, no response was received.
Conte explained on Wednesday that he had two conversations with Haney’s attorney, John Hornewer, in order to discuss Garcia’s drug test results. He also mentioned that he collaborates with Hornewer to establish drug testing protocols which are included in all of Haney’s fight contracts, including the contract for the fight with Garcia.
Conte claimed that he was the one who determined the frequency at which the entire program would be tested.
Hornewer confirmed that Conte was indeed involved in drug testing matters.
Hornewer explained that he cannot comment on what Victor does with SNAC regarding Devin on a regular basis as he is not involved in that aspect. However, he mentioned that they do seek Victor’s input for each fight, particularly in the drug testing part. Victor also assists in filling out Devin’s forms, as he is aware of the supplements that Devin takes. This is the role that Victor plays in their partnership.
Scientists are suggesting that AI could become a valuable tool for athletes and help them overcome drug tests.
Victor Conte faces skepticism
In a Netflix documentary released in 2023, showcasing Conte’s training methods, Haney can be seen undergoing training and utilizing an oxygen mask at Conte’s facility in the San Francisco Bay Area. Conte emphasizes the advantages of high-gravity training and highlights additional services he offers, such as blood work analysis, personalized dietary recommendations, and the provision of nutritional supplements that he continues to sell.
“When the documentary was released, he stated to USA TODAY Sports that there are numerous legal methods that yield positive results.”
Conte expressed his unwavering dedication to eradicating doping from the world of sports and his firm commitment to coaching athletes without resorting to performance-enhancing substances.
Conte acknowledges that there will always be skeptics, including former IRS agent Jeff Novitzky, who spearheaded the BALCO investigation.
Victor Conte rebuts Ryan Garcia
After the news of Garcia’s positive drug tests emerged, the boxer raised concerns about the timing of the results being made public. The first drug test took place on April 19, the same day as the weigh-in, while the second test was conducted on April 20, the day of the fight.
In a recorded statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Garcia expressed his concerns about the timing of the release of the information. He questioned why the authorities didn’t disclose it before the fight took place, as it raises suspicions about allowing a cheater to enter the ring. Garcia found it fishy that the news came out only after his victory.
Conte criticized Garcia on X for spreading false information. He pointed out that the samples were collected a day prior to the fight and on the day of the fight. Conte explained that it takes a minimum of 72 hours to receive the test results, making them unavailable before the fight.
According to anti-doping expert Oliver Catlin, the test results would not have been accessible until a few days after the tests were carried out.
According to Catlin, son of renowned anti-doping scientist Don Catlin, criticizing the timeline appears to be an ineffective argument.
According to Travis Tygart, the CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the usual timeframe for turnaround is a couple of weeks.
He emphasized the importance of taking one’s time and ensuring accuracy.
In response to allegations that the small quantities of prohibited substances could clear Garcia’s name, Conte expressed his disagreement by stating, “You are either pregnant or not. Period. Suggesting that minimal levels could exonerate him is akin to claiming that someone is only ‘a little bit pregnant.'”
As he enthusiastically discussed the drug test results on Wednesday, Conte confidently declared, “I have unparalleled expertise in this field.”
Ryan Garcia has failed a drug test, which has raised concerns about his upcoming fight against Devin Haney. This news has also led to speculation about Haney’s connection to Victor Conte, the infamous figure in the world of performance-enhancing drugs.