The High Guard
Boxing
Cannabis Professional Wrestling
KT "Tha Final Boss"
El Jefe Final
A Stain on the Sport of Boxing
THE HIGH GUARD- In the realm of sports, where competition is revered and athletes are idolized, integrity stands as a non-negotiable pillar. Yet, Ryan Garcia, at the prime age of 25, has delivered a disheartening blow to the credibility of boxing. His recent positive test for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine, revealed in a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association and obtained by ESPN, casts a long, dark shadow over what was heralded as a stunning upset against Devin Haney.
The tests conducted both the day before and on the day of Garcia's controversial win have not only tainted his majority decision victory but have raised critical questions about the ethical fabric of the sport. This isn't just about a singular lapse in judgment; it's an outright affront to the sport and its ardent followers.
"Everybody knows that I don't cheat," Garcia said in a video posted on X. "Never taken a steroid. ... I don't even know where to get steroids. ... I barely take supplements. Big lies, I beat his ass.”
This isn't the first time for boxing with ostarine The substance has marred the records of fighters like Lucian Bute and Amir Khan, both of whom faced serious repercussions. Yet, here we are again, discussing another high-profile athlete, another doping scandal, and the same old tired excuses—Garcia's camp claims ignorance of intentional wrongdoing.
"We learned about this situation not too long ago and it's unfortunate Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and breaking positive not once, but twice," Haney said in a statement to ESPN.
"... Ryan owes the fans an apology, and by his recent tweet he still thinks this is a joke. We put our lives on the line to entertain people for a living. You don't play boxing. This puts the fight in a completely different light. Despite the disadvantage, I still fought on my shield and got back up! People die in this sport. This isn't a joking matter."
The repercussions for such actions should be severe. Not only does Garcia's victory warrant nullification, but boxing itself needs a hard reset on its handling of doping. The sport's governing bodies must tighten their oversight and enforce stricter penalties. Anything short of this merely allows the cycle of cheating and reputational damage to continue.
Haney, a fighter who had never touched the canvas before meeting Garcia in the ring, fought not just his opponent but an unfair advantage that no athlete should have to face. His fall in the rankings and the loss of his pound-for-pound recognition are far from the reflections of his skill but rather a byproduct of Garcia’s doping.
*** UPDATE ***
Ryan Garcia "B" Sample tested positive
Garcia's "A" (Sample) Tarnished Victory
Garcia's actions paint a picture of desperation and deceit. The fact that he also missed weight ahead of the bout, paying Haney 1.5 million only adds to the narrative of a fighter cutting corners, seeking any and all advantages—legitimate or otherwise.
As fans, commentators, and those whom spend their time covering and promoting the sport of boxing, we must not stand idly by. The fight against doping must be relentless and unforgiving. We owe it to every young fighter looking up to the likes of Garcia, to every fan investing their time and emotions in this sport, and to the legacy of boxing itself, to demand and uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Puff Puff Pinfall: Top 3 Moments in Professional Wrestling for the month of April
THE HIGH GUARD
May 2, 2024
Puff: WrestleMania and The “Paul Levesque Era”
The “Paul Levesque era” brought a renewed energy to WrestleMania with its highly anticipated return of professional wrestling. Night one showcased a dynamic lineup, though the brother-vs-brother match fell short of expectations. Night two redeemed any lingering disappointment, culminating in an electrifying moment when Samantha Irvin declared Cody Rhodes as champion, delivering one of the best announcing calls in recent memory.
Puff: Trick Williams Captures NXT Championship
Trick Williams' rise to the NXT Championship stands as a testament to perseverance. Initially introduced as Carmelo Hayes' sidekick, Williams worked diligently to earn his spotlight, ultimately seizing the title with Hayes’ support. The passing of the torch was evident as Hayes made an immediate move to the main roster, signifying Williams’ readiness to lead. Ilja Dragunov also played a pivotal role in elevating Williams through their intense triangular feud.
Pinfall: Swerve Strickland Makes History in AEW
Swerve Strickland etched his name into the annals of AEW history as the promotion's first Black champion, a significant achievement that was unfortunately marred by commentary confusion. Veteran announcer Tony Schiavone mistakenly referred to Strickland as "African American," a term that didn't quite capture the moment's historical importance. Schiavone’s old-school terminology revealed a generational gap, but Strickland’s triumph stands unblemished as he secures his place among wrestling's elite.
In a spectacular display of skill and finesse, Vasiliy Lomachenko once again proved why he is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. The 36-year-old pound-for-pound superstar dominated former unified world champion George Kambosos Jr. for 11 rounds in front of a packed RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, to claim the IBF lightweight title.
Lomachenko's masterful footwork and agility were on full display, as he effortlessly controlled the pace of the fight. His patience and precise combination attacks were too much for Kambosos, who not only suffered a bloody and bruised face, but also saw his international boxing career come crashing down.
The Ukrainian boxing legend was in complete control throughout the contest, showcasing his superior technique and leaving Kambosos with no chance to mount a comeback. In the 11th round, Lomachenko landed a flurry of body punches, knocking down Kambosos. The referee allowed the Australian to continue, but another attack to the body forced Kambosos' corner to throw in the towel.
This victory marks Lomachenko's first knockout since his impressive triumph over Masayoshi Nakatani in June 2021. After the fight, he credited his team and his opponent, saying, "We trained hard for this moment. My plan was to adjust to my opponent. This is what I did during the fight and the end of the rounds I need to finish strong. I want to say big thank you to my opponent. He's a strong man, he's a true warrior."
Kambosos may have been considered a significant underdog with odds of 6-1 against him, but he proved himself to be a tenacious fighter who thrives in the face of adversity. In 2021, he famously upset Teofimo Lopez to become the unified lightweight champion. However, against Lomachenko, the disparity in skill was evident from the beginning. Despite Kambosos' determination, he was no match for the two-time Olympic champion.
CompuBox numbers don't lie, and they reflected the one-sided nature of the fight, with Lomachenko landing 175 punches to Kambosos' meager 40. The Ukrainian's accuracy was also remarkable, connecting on 70 of 270 attempted jabs, compared to just four of 182 for Kambosos.
Kambosos was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Lomachenko's greatness, saying, "This guy is one of the best of all time in history. He's a true champion. He deserves that belt. I gave it my all." He later added, "This is one of the best fighters in history. So, I'm not ashamed."
Prior to the fight, legendary promoter Bob Arum hinted at a potential matchup between Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson. With Lomachenko's impressive victory over Kambosos, that fight remains a possibility. Additionally, Lomachenko could face the winner of next week's WBO lightweight title fight between Emanuel Navarrete and Denys Berinchyk.
At 36 years old, Lomachenko has shown that he still has plenty more left in the tank and is capable of competing with the top fighters in the world. His dominance over Kambosos serves as a reminder of his unparalleled skill and sets the stage for even more exciting matchups in the future.
Vasiliy Lomachenko proves age is just a number with dominant victory over George Kambosos Jr.
THE HIGH GUARD
MAY 12, 2024
Loma turns back the hands of time to dominate Kambosos
It was a highly anticipated event in the world of boxing - the matchup of two heavyweight champions, vying for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion. On May 18, 2024, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk faced off in the Ring of Fire at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was a battle that had been postponed, rescheduled, and hyped for months, and it did not disappoint.
The buildup to this fight was intense, with both fighters signing on to the matchup in October of 2023. However, injuries and scheduling conflicts caused delays, pushing the fight to early 2024. But finally, the two titans of the boxing world stepped into the ring to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, and Usyk, the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion, both had everything on the line. Four sanctioned belts and special commemorative belts were up for grabs, including the special edition Fury-Usyk belt blessed by Pope Francis himself.
The fight began with Fury showboating in the first round, but Usyk quickly landed a left hook, setting the tone for the rest of the match. As the rounds went on, both fighters showed impressive skill and resilience, with Fury dominating in the fourth and seventh rounds, and Usyk landing a series of devastating punches in the ninth.
It was a close and intense battle between two skilled athletes, each determined to come out on top. In the end, it was Usyk who emerged as the victor, winning by split decision. Judge Manuel Oliver Palermo had Usyk ahead 115-112, while judge Craig Metcalfe scored it 114-113 for Fury. Judge Mike Fitzgerald also gave Usyk the edge at 114-113. It was a hard-fought victory for Usyk, who now holds all five major heavyweight belts.
The fight also drew a global audience, with viewers all over the world tuning in to witness this historic matchup. With a total purse of $150 million, this was one of the biggest and most lucrative fights in the history of boxing. DAZN PPV covered the fight globally, while viewers in the Middle East and North Africa could watch via Webook. In the UK and Ireland, the event aired on both Sky and TNT Sports Box Office channels.
It was a night to remember for the world of boxing, as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk put on a show for fans around the world. The Ring of Fire lived up to its name, with both fighters showing the kind of determination and skill that has made them champions. Congratulations to Oleksandr Usyk on becoming the new undisputed heavyweight champion - we can't wait to see what's next for these two incredible athletes.
THE HIGH GUARD
May 19, 2024
Tyson Fury learned that you don't play boxing
Usyk punches Furry all over the ring
Zhilei Zhang achieved the most significant victory of his career on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, effectively possibly ending former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder's reign. The 41-year-old Chinese fighter connected with a perfectly timed counter right hook that left Wilder dazed. With Wilder vulnerable, Zhang (27-2-1, 21 KOs) took advantage and delivered a powerful right hand that sent the American crashing onto the canvas.
Despite somehow rising to his feet before the referee's count of 10, Wilder's legs were unsteady and the fight was stopped at 1:51 of Round 5. "I managed to block a few punches, but he definitely packs a punch," said Zhang, speaking through an interpreter, about Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs), known as one of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history. "I have a lot of respect for him. He's a strong puncher...but I was able to take away his right hand."
The loss marks Wilder's fourth defeat in his last five fights, including a decision loss to Joseph Parker in December and two losses to Tyson Fury in their heavyweight championship trilogy. Before the fight, Wilder had hinted that a loss could mean the end of his career, saying "this could be the final goodbye, the farewell of Deontay Wilder."
Zhang, on the other hand, was looking to bounce back from his own decision loss to Parker, the former heavyweight titleholder, in March. Despite knocking Parker down twice, Zhang was unable to secure the win on the judges' scorecards.
But with this victory, Zhang is now back on track towards his goal of becoming champion. Currently, that title belongs to Oleksandr Usyk, who recently defeated Fury in Riyadh to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Zhang closed as the -150 favorite against Wilder, according to ESPN BET, and is currently ranked No. 6 by ESPN in the heavyweight division. Wilder entered the fight ranked No. 7. Interestingly, Zhang and Wilder had both earned Olympic medals in the heavyweight division - Zhang a silver in 2008 and Wilder a bronze.
However, on Saturday night, the two fighters appeared to be in different weight classes as Zhang outweighed Wilder by a staggering 68.2 pounds - Zhang at 282.8 and Wilder at 214.6 pounds. It's worth noting that there is no weight limit in boxing's heavyweight division. Taking full advantage of his size advantage, Zhang was able to overpower Wilder and pin him against the ropes. As a southpaw, Zhang frequently utilized his right hook, finding success with it time and time again as Wilder hesitated to throw his renowned right hand.
In the final round, Zhang unleashed his best weapon. Wilder had just landed a solid right hand when he was met with another right, this time from Zhang, which ultimately resulted in the knockout. This impressive victory puts Zhang one step closer to achieving his ultimate goal of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.
End of an Era?
June 3, 2023
THE HIGH GUARD
Zang controlled Wilder until the final stoppage in the 5th round