Boxing World Stunned After Canelo Alvarez Tests Positive For PEDs in Build Up to Rematch with ‘GGG’ Golovkin…
Drama is unfolding throughout the boxing world after Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez failed a drug test. The current Ring champion is due to face off against “GGG” Gennady Golovkin on May 5th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now that fight is in doubt after Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol, a performance-enhancing drug.
This will go down as a massive blow to boxing chiefs worldwide, as well as the pair of boxers. Their original fight in 2017 was one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the decade. Coming after the spectacle of Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor, it was vaunted as a return to pure boxing, between two all-time greats.
Of course, we all know what happened next. Golovkin asserted himself and it looked to most spectators that the unified champion had done enough to grind out his thirty-eight victory in a row. Instead, the judges ruled the decision as a draw, and ‘Canelo’ agreed to a rematch with his Kazakh opponent.
Team Statement
Golden Boy Promotions, owned by Oscar de la Hoya, have released a statement on the issue. A representative told the Los Angeles Times:
“Canelo Alvarez has submitted a positive test for the banned substance clenbuterol, but has received a favorable ruling that the amount falls within allowable levels for meat contamination in Mexico.”
Mexico is notorious for meat contamination and has been widespread over the past five years. There is some hope for ‘Canelo’ that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing, because of this. However, it is not ideal preparation for his rematch with Golovkin.
Canelo Responds
The Mexican put out his own statement released by Golden Boy Promotions. He made clear his embarrassment about the situation. ‘Canelo’ said:
“I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me. I will submit to all the tests that require me to clarify this embarrassing situation and I trust that at the end the truth will prevail.”
The drug test failure is serious because clenbuterol is used to increase metabolism, burn fat, build muscle and increase overall performance. It’s not a PED you want to get caught using.
Global Reaction
Needless to say, the rest of the boxing world is in shock. Numerous fighters have made their feelings known on the matter. However, ‘Canelo’ is innocent until proven guilty of any wrongdoing. However, Golovkin’s team want a full investigation into his drug test failure.
“We will do our due diligence and once it’s done we’ll let it be known whether we’re going to move forward,” Bob Bennett of the NSAC told ESPN.
‘Canelo’ was due to fight Golovkin on the Mexican national holiday of Cinco de Mayo. That fight is currently still going ahead. It must be remembered that Erik Morales and Franciso Vargas have both tested positive for banned substances due to contaminated meat. Both men were cleared of any wrong-doing. There is hope for Alvarez yet.
