Boxing fans were excited when the rematch was made between Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) and unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs).
The much anticipated Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin rematch was scheduled to Saturday May 5th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and is by far the biggest and most anticipated fight of 2018.
But the fight is now in serious jeopardy of not happening following the Nevada Athletic Commission temporarily suspending Alvarez for two positive tests for the banned substance clenbuterol.
Clenbuterol is a synthetic drug used in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases and also in veterinary obstetrics. It also promotes the growth of muscle and has been used illegally by athletes to enhance performance.
Fighters are randomly tested throughout training camp leading up to a fight, and two of Alvarez’ random urine tests done by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on Feb. 17 and Feb. 20 came back positive for clenbuterol which forced the commission to suspend Alvarez.
Canelo vs. GGG 2 One on One (Videos) https://t.co/gkgCQvUmiP pic.twitter.com/ehiXRdBZIb
— TRYLOSOPHY (@moruso71) March 14, 2018
Stefan Friedman who is the spokesperson for Golden Boy Promotions, who promotes Alvarez, issued the following statement.
“We respect the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s process and will vigorously present Canelo’s case throughout. Over his career, Canelo has tested clean more than 90 times and would never intentionally take a banned substance.”
Alvarez claims the positive tests were a result of eating contaminated beef from his home country, Mexico. This has been an ongoing issue with athletes from Mexico where farmers include clenbuterol in cattle because it increases lean muscle mass and helps reduce fat.
So there might be some validity to Alvarez’s claim although many in the boxing world don’t believe his claim, especially Golovkin who believes Alvarez was taking the banned substance leading up to their first fight in September that ended in a disputed draw.
Gennady Golovkin on Canelo Alvarez: He’s cheating, but I still want to f… https://t.co/4JcMBQbn9m via @YouTube
— Make Money (@NokSuKowMMA519) March 24, 2018
Only Alvarez and his team know for sure if the multiple positive tests were from contaminated meat or not, but one thing we all know is that his reputation has taken a huge hit once his failed test became public.
Alvarez will have a hearing with the commission on April 10 to state his case and at that time the commission will determine if the fight will go on.
If the fight goes on there will still be a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Alvarez leading up to the fight. If the fight gets cancelled or postponed, it will be a huge disappointment and another black eye for the sport of boxing.
