Ryan Martin released a statement detailing the reason for his failed drug test late last year.
On Twitter, the once-beaten rising contender revealed that his positive test results were a result of him taking pre-workout supplements without knowing the full extent of the ingredients. Martin ended the statement by promising to return better than ever now that he has served his six-month suspension from the date of the VADA test being administered in late 2018.
"On December 15, 2018 I was saddened to learn the findings in my Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) screening. The finding (5a-androstanediol and 5b-androstanediol) came from a pre-work out I was taking not knowing the ingredients. I hold myself fully accountable for this mistake. Accepting a 6-month suspension (Nov. 3-May 3). My whole career I've been a clean athlete, never testing positive for anything. I was very forthcoming and cooperative with the WBC and their investigation, as this came to a very big surprise to me. I send my deepest apologies to my fans, to my supporters and the WBC family. To my hometown Chattanooga, Tn. I'm sorry. I will be back better than ever. I promise."
Martin participated in the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament and lost in the quarterfinals. Martin suffered a seventh-round knockout loss to Josh Taylor in a tournament bout on November 3 in Glasgow, Scotland. Martin now currently sits at No. 12 in the IBF rankings at 140 pounds.