By Keith Idec
On the same day Canelo Alvarez’s temporary PED-related suspension was extended to six months, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association’s president stated that Alvarez isn’t currently enrolled in VADA’s testing program.
Dr. Margaret Goodman told the Los Angeles Times for a story posted to its website Wednesday that, “I don’t have him enrolled at this time.” Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the WBC, also told the Los Angeles Times that it’s important for Alvarez to be tested year-round as part of the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, for which VADA administers testing.
It is not known why Alvarez, who failed two VADA tests just two months ago, isn’t being tested, despite that he doesn’t have a fight scheduled.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to trim Alvarez’s one-year suspension to six months because he has cooperated with the NSAC’s investigation into his two positive tests for clenbuterol, a banned substance, in February. That likely will afford Alvarez a chance to reschedule his middleweight championship rematch against Gennady Golovkin for September 15 because his suspension is retroactive to Alvarez’s first positive test for clenbuterol (February 17).
Assuming Alvarez remains clean and continues cooperating with the NSAC, his suspension should end after August 17.
The 27-year-old Alvarez claims meat contamination, a common problem in his native Mexico, is responsible for clenbuterol turning up in his system. NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell III had harsh words Wednesday regarding Alvarez’s explanation.
“My [regulations] are clear,” Marnell told the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t really care if the dog ate your homework. I don’t care if you ate contaminated meat. I don’t care if you bought a bad supplement at the GNC. You’re responsible for what goes in your body. Period.”
The NSAC temporarily suspended Alvarez on March 23. Alvarez withdrew from his rematch against Golovkin on April 3 because he was advised that the NSAC would extend his temporary suspension Wednesday.
Alvarez and Golovkin were scheduled to fight again in a high-profile pay-per-view match May 5 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Neither Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) nor Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) has fought since they battled to a controversial 12-round draw September 16 at T-Mobile Arena. Handlers for Golovkin announced earlier Wednesday that he’ll fight junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) on May 5 at StubHub Center in Carson, California (HBO).
2023-10-21 00:35:37
