Tainted meat may put big fight in jeopardy
Promoters are waiting to learn whether the May 5 rematch between Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas is still on after Alvarez tested positive for trace levels of Clenbuterol. The World AntiDoping Agency (WADA), which conducted the test, said in a letter the levels of Clenbuterol were consistent with meat contamination that has impacted dozens of athletes in Mexico in recent years.
“We’re waiting for the ruling from the Nevada Athletic Commission,” said Triple G’s promoter Tom Loeffler. “Whenever there’s a positive test it’s not great news. But we’ll see what the Nevada commission rules.”
Loeffler said he expects to hear something by the end of this week.
“They have to rule on it very quickly because both sides are waiting to see what the ruling is,” he said. “Gennady is still training as if there’s nothing different, but it’s still a situation where there’s a new wrinkle into the puzzle. Whenever there’s a positive test there’s always going to be raised concerns.”
A statement issued by Alvarez’s promoter Golden Boy Promotions said Alvarez will immediately move his training camp to the United States, and will submit to additional tests.
“I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me,” Alvarez said in the statement. “I will submit to all the tests that require me to clarify this embarrassing situation. I trust that at the end the truth will prevail.”