By Keith Idec
It’s not just that Canelo Alvarez twice tested positive for clenbuterol, according to Abel Sanchez.
Gennady Golovkin’s trainer says he and Golovkin also are bothered by what he considers a continuous attempt by Alvarez and his handlers to make it as if the Mexican icon’s performance-enhancing drug ordeal never happened. Sanchez doesn’t think they’ve accepted any real responsibility for what occurred and that’s why there has been so much harsh criticism from Golovkin’s side since Alvarez’s two positive tests in February led to his six-month suspension and the cancelation of their rematch May 5.
The tension between Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs), Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) and their teams figures to grow worse as their rematch nears. They’re scheduled to fight again September 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (HBO Pay-Per-View).
“I would say if there’s a reason, the reason would be because they’re trying sweep it under the rug, like nothing happened,” Sanchez said during a conference call Wednesday. “Look, we’re not idiots. The fans are not idiots. Something happened. Yes, he was cleared by the Nevada commission, but something did happen. There’s consequences from that. People are still dealing with the consequences from that.
“So are we a little mad about it? Of course we’re a little mad about it. We have to go on and we have to fight the 15th, but the fact of the matter is those things did happen. We cannot sweep it under the rug. He did test positive, regardless for whatever reason he seems to claim. But the fact is he did.”
The 28-year-old Alvarez has taken offense to many of the things Golovkin and Sanchez have said since this clenbuterol debacle began nearly six months ago. The former middleweight and junior middleweight champion claims contaminated meat consumed in Mexico caused clenbuterol to enter his system.
Alvarez’s suspension ended after Friday because it was retroactive to the date of his first failed test (February 17).
Golovkin and Alvarez will be in the same place Sunday for the first time since a press conference in February for their ill-fated fight May 5. They’ll participate in workouts that are open to the public and will interact with fans as part of an event at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, the new home of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC.
2023-10-21 16:04:42
