By Michael Rosenthal
MOST FRUSTRATING
Canelo Alvarez’s positive drug test: Enough is enough.
Alvarez tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug clenbuterol, which the fighter blames on contaminated meat he consumed in Mexico. And, indeed, a doping official confirmed that “these values are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination.”
That shouldn’t matter.
I’ll be as clear as possible: The fighter is responsible for what goes into his body, whether intentional or unintentional. Period. After all, the main purpose of drug testing is to prevent one fighter from gaining a competitive edge over another. And it can be argued that Alvarez gained a competitive edge, however slight.
Gennady Golovkin, who is scheduled to face Alvarez in a much-anticipated rematch on May 5, used the word “outrageous” to describe his opponent’s failed test. And one could argue he is absolutely right.
Alvarez might’ve violated regulations inadvertently, as he claims. That’s not a good excuse, though.
Here’s a thought: Take all precautions to avoid consuming questionable meat. Don’t eat beef? Buy organic beef, assuming it’s available in Mexico? Ship it from the U.S.? The 2014 Mexican World Cup soccer team reportedly avoided beef consumption after 100 junior players tested positive for clenbuterol in 2011.
This isn’t rocket science, people. Alvarez and his handlers should have known better, which is why some suspect that Alvarez and Co. aren’t as innocent as they let on.
Other boxers have tested positive for a similar amount of clenbuterol and were then allowed to fight, as regulators are trying to reasonable. Alvarez will be allowed to fight, too. And as angry as Triple-G might be, he won’t pull out of the event because of its magnitude.
I would be inclined to allow the fight to go on, too, particularly because Alvarez has passed subsequent tests and recent precedent dictates leniency. But the powers that be must take advantage of this high-profile opportunity to make a strong statement to Alvarez and other fighters.
I would hit Alvarez with a fine that hurts even a wealthy man, one that would say loudly and clearly: “Enough is enough. For the sake of the sport and to protect fighters, we as a boxing community are no longer going to accept “accidental” doping violations.
Regulators must begin the process of drawing a red line.
2023-10-20 15:45:11
