BAD TIMES FOR BILLY JOE
Any wrondoing is denied by the WBO middleweight champion’s team, writes Elliot Worsell
Examining the facts behind that failed drug test for Saunders
WITHIN the space of a day, WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders was declared both a ‘drug cheat’ and an ‘innocent man’ by people quick to jump to conclusions and then his defence.
The confusion was first triggered by news of a VADA (Voluntary Antidoping Assocation) test conducted on August 30 in Sheffield, which returned “adverse analytical findings” on account of oxilofrine, a stimulant, being detected in Saunders’ system. This then led to a fear his October 20 title defence against Demetrious Andrade would be scrapped, as well as condemnation from fractions of the boxing world.
The furore quickly subsided, however, as the stimulant in question, chemically linked to asthma medication ephedrine, was revealed to only be banned under the World Anti-doping’s in-competition code. This meant Saunders, who supposedly ingested the substance while out of competition, would not have failed a test conducted by UK Anti-doping (UKAD), nor breached the rules of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBOFC). It also meant he was no longer a ‘drug cheat’.
A statement from Saunders’ promoter, Frank Warren, attempted to clear up some of the confusion.
“In response to reports of an adverse analytical finding in a test carried out by the VADA on Saunders, we can confirm that the product concerned is permitted to be used ‘Out of Competition’ by United Kingdom Anti-doping,” said Warren.
“This is in line with the regulations of the World Anti-doping Agency. For the avoidance of doubt, the product in question was a common decongestant nasal spray. The BBBOFC under whose jurisdiction Saunders is licensed are affiliated only to UKAD/WADA. The BBBOFC have confirmed that Mr. Saunders is not in breach of BBBOFC or UKAD antidoping regulations. He is therefore in good standing and is licensed to box and defend his world title on October 20th.
“Mr. Saunders has been tested a number of times in 2018, all negative, and his last out of competition test by UKAD was on September 24, 2018.”
As well as a decongestant, oxilofrine also can also burn fat, increase the production of adrenaline, and help with the oxygenation of the blood. It is the same amphetamine that resulted in suspensions for former sprint champions Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in 2013.
That’s why Victor Conte, the president of SNAC (Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning), has refused to downplay the seriousness of the drug being found in a boxer’s system. In fact, he has even gone so far as to say the substance is “ten times more powerful than clenbuterol”, the drug for which Saul “Canelo” Alvarez received a six-month ban earlier this year.
Taking to social media, the disgraced founder of BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative) wrote: “Boxing deserves to know the brand of the ‘nasal spray’ product that contains oxilofrine as claimed by Saunders. Does this drug containing product require a doctor’s prescription? Saunders needs to provide some answers.
“It’s that simple. Saunders signs an agreement to be tested for a list of prohibited substances. He then tests positive for oxilofrine and now claims UK Anti-doping has a mack truck loophole in their testing program so it should NOT count. WADA and UKAD need a wake-up call. Saunders signed a VADA enrollment agreement that says, ‘Substances are prohibited at all times.’ Is it possible Saunders will next claim that he cannot read? UKAD is not testing Andrade for this fight. Period. How simple can this case be?
“All supplements and medications were to be listed by Saunders on the VADA enrollment agreement. I would bet that oxilofrine is not listed on his declaration forms. If he has a prescription, then where is it and who is the doctor?
“Boxing people should note that Saunders signed an agreement that included the VADA prohibited substances list with oxilofrine on it.”
Considering the fact Saunders didn’t break any of WADA’S rules, it would seem unlikely his fight with Andrade will be cancelled. Moreover, the title defence in Boston comes under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC) and they adhere to the WADA rules and US Antidoping Agency, who also state that in-competition only refers to 12 hours before an event takes place. That, too, in the case of oxilofrine, would seem a ‘mack truck loophole’.