Ryan García accuses Juan Manuel Márquez of using steroids in Pacquiao knockout fight

In a shocking revelation, rising boxing star Ryan Garcia has voiced a bold accusation against Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, claiming that his stunning knockout victory over Manny Pacquiao in their fourth meeting was fueled by steroids. Garcia’s comments have reignited a long-running debate in the boxing world about performance-enhancing drugs and their role in some of the sport’s most memorable moments.

García’s explosive statement

Speaking candidly during an interview, Garcia said:
“I think Marquez was 100% on steroids in that fourth fight with Pacquiao. There’s no way to go from going down in previous fights to knocking out Manny like that.”

His statement refers to the December 2012 matchup, Pacquiao vs. Márquez IV, a fight remembered as one of the most dramatic and shocking finishes in modern boxing history. In the sixth round, Marquez landed a perfectly timed right hand that knocked out Pacquiao, leaving the Filipino legend unconscious for several minutes.

The historical rivalry

The Pacquiao-Márquez rivalry is one of the most celebrated in boxing. Over the course of four epic battles, the two fighters pushed each other to the limit:

• Their first fight (2004) ended in a controversial draw.

• Pacquiao won his second (2008) and third (2011) fight by close decision.

• The fourth fight (2012), however, concluded with Márquez’s thunderous knockout, which not only avenged his previous defeats but also cemented his legacy in boxing history.

While fans praised the dramatic finish, rumors quickly spread about Márquez’s physique and conditioning at the time. Some observers noted his unusually muscular build compared to previous fights, leading to speculation about possible improvements.

Why García doubts Márquez

Ryan García’s skepticism centers on Márquez’s sudden transformation and the drastic change in results. In previous bouts, Pacquiao repeatedly knocked down Marquez, but the Mexican warrior always found a way to recover and fight back. However, in their fourth meeting, the tide completely turned.

Garcia questions how Márquez not only withstood Pacquiao’s speed and power but also landed the decisive blow that ended one of boxing’s most dominant streaks. For García, this jump in performance seemed unnatural:
“When you’ve been knocked down several times in fights and suddenly you’re the one putting Manny to sleep, you have to wonder what happened.”he suggested.

The steroid controversy in boxing

Steroid accusations are not new in combat sports. The lure of gaining an advantage in strength, endurance and recovery has tempted many athletes, and boxing is no exception. Over the years, several high-profile wrestlers have tested positive for banned substances, tarnishing their reputation and legacy.

However, it is important to note that Juan Manuel Márquez never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. His strength and conditioning coach at the time, Ángel “Memo” Heredia, drew attention, as Heredia had a controversial past linked to doping scandals in other sports. This connection has often fueled speculation, even in the absence of concrete evidence.

Márquez’s perspective

Márquez has consistently maintained his innocence. He has attributed the knockout to years of hard work, meticulous preparation and experience gained from fighting Pacquiao multiple times. For him, the victory was the result of perfect timing and a strategy honed over nearly a decade of rivalry.

Fans in Mexico and around the world celebrate the knockout as one of boxing’s greatest moments. For many, questioning him feels like undermining the legacy of a fighter who gave everything inside the ring.

The impact of García’s words

Ryan Garcia’s comments come at a time when he is trying to forge his own identity in boxing. Known as much for his social media presence as his fast hands, Garcia has often spoken openly and provocatively about the biggest names in the sport. By bringing up the Pacquiao-Márquez controversy, he has put himself back in the headlines.

The boxing community remains divided. Some fans and analysts agree with García’s doubts, citing Márquez’s dramatic physical transformation before the fight. Others reject the claim, arguing that García’s comments are speculative and disrespectful of Márquez’s achievements.

A debate that will not die

More than a decade after Pacquiao-Márquez IV, the conversation surrounding the knockout continues to generate emotions. Was it one of the most brilliant punches in boxing history or was it helped by something outside the rules?

Ryan Garcia’s bold accusations have ensured that the debate continues. While no evidence has confirmed Márquez’s steroid use, García’s words have reopened old wounds and added fuel to a fire that may never be fully extinguished.

Conclusion

Boxing thrives on drama, both inside and outside the ring. The rivalry between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Márquez is already immortalized as one of the greatest in sport. But with Ryan Garcia’s recent comments, the narrative has taken a controversial turn, forcing fans to once again question one of the most unforgettable knockouts in history.

Whether Márquez’s victory was pure brilliance or tainted by suspicion, one thing is certain: the night of December 8, 2012 will forever remain one of boxing’s most shocking and unforgettable moments.