Eddie Hearn compares Ryan Garcia’s “admission of guilt” for drug-test failures to Conor Benn’s PED scandal 

In the aftermath of Ryan Garcia's decision victory over Devin Haney in April, it was revealed he had failed two drug tests. After reaching a settlement with the New York State Athletic Commission, 'KingRy' was handed a one-year suspension and was also subject to a hefty fine.

Garcia's case unfolded in stark contrast to that of Conor Benn, who is represented by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Benn previously failed a drug test a week before his scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. in October, 2022.

He was suspended in March 2023, but the suspension was lifted in July 2023 by the National Anti-Doping Panel. The decision to lift the suspension was appealed by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) in May of this year.

The appeal saw Benn once again provisionally suspended, but the budding British boxer maintains his innocence to this day.

His promoter, Hearn, was recently interviewed by iFL TV, where he was asked why Garcia's suspension was made official in a much shorter time than Benn's. Hearn said this:

"Because it was an admission of guilt. Whatever way Ryan wants to do it, the lawyers will have gone in and gone, 'Sorry, it's not the best. But how do we move forward? Is there a deal to be done?' The problem with Conor, and I admire him for it, but it's cost him - is his complete drive to prove his innocence."

He continued:

"The levels in Ryan Garcia's test were well beyond the levels of Conor Benn's test. And Ryan, some may say smartly, went in and did a deal with the commission."

Watch Eddie Hearn's interview below (7:36):

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Eddie Hearn reacts to Ryan Garcia's racist outburst

Ryan Garcia has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2024. He was recently caught using racial slurs towards black people online, causing him to be expelled from the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Eddie Hearn has now reacted to Garcia's recent comments, saying this:

"I think he's a decent person, but his head's fallen off and he needs help ASAP. I noticed the first press conference for Haney-Garcia... Some of the stuff that was said yesterday is just kind of the end of the road with it now."

Watch Eddie Hearn discuss Ryan Garcia's behavior below (3:15):