By Miguel Rivera
The President of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman, does not want people to jump to conclusions - with the looming suspension of Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs).
On Tuesday, Canelo officially withdrew from a rematch with WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin - which was scheduled for May 5th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Canelo is under a temporary suspension, after testing positive for banned substance clenbuterol in two separate tests back in February.
But last week the situation became worse, when the Nevada State Athletic Commission filed an official complaint against Canelo and ordered him to take part in a hearing on April 18.
Canelo's handlers were advised ahead of time that he was unlikely to be cleared for the Golovkin rematch.
He now faces a possible suspension of one year.
Canelo has blamed his consumption of contaminated meat as the sole reason for the positive tests. Farmers using clenbuterol on their livestock is an ongoing problem in Mexico.
"Each athlete is responsible for what enters his body and Canelo is guilty of having eaten meat and having neglected that factor, but it is not fair to be accused of doping, because based on what the evidence is he did not. Yes his attitude has generated enemies and unfortunately [this situation] has hit the sport, but hopefully this is an experience that will help other athletes and it will help address this serious situation of clenbuterol in sports and in the country," Sulaiman said.
"They had a hearing scheduled for April 18, three weeks before the fight, but being under a suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission was ** it virtually impossible to carry out such a complex event and the most important fight of the year. Its very sad and painful how the whole process was played out and May 5 is now without the fight that everyone was waiting for."
2023-10-20 18:40:58
