By Miguel Rivera
IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0-, 33 KOs) is still training in Big Bear, California, for his rematch with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) on Cinco de Mayo at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
But Golovkin feared the contest would be canceled after it was recent revealed that Canelo tested positive for low levels of clenbuterol.
The two boxers fought to a controversial twelve round split draw last September at the same Las Vegas venue.
Golovkin said that it was a very unfortunate moment for Canelo, for his team and for the sport of boxing.
Canelo has his team have claimed food contamination. Mexico has an ongoing problem in the country with meat being contaminated with clenbuteral, which is a banned performance enhancing drug.
But Golovkin does not view this situation as a contaminated meat problem - he views this as a problem with Canelo's team, because the undefeated champion said Canelo's handlers are well aware of the clenbuteral issue in Mexico and they didn't take the necessary precautions with handling the boxer's food.
"If it was meat, or milk or food is another story. The commission told us that he tested positive and it's very bad, but I think it's not a meat problem, it's not just his problem, it's a problem of his whole team. If they are professionals they must understand and know what they eat, his position.. it is not a problem of the meat. He looks very bad right now, many people see him as something negative for the sport, it is a problem of his team," Golovkin said to ESPN Deportes.
"(The news of Canelo's positive test) brought me different emotions. I think Canelo is a very good athlete, a good boxer, who does not need medicine or drugs, for me it is terrible and for all athletes who respect sport, clean sport, this is not good."
2023-10-20 15:13:05
