BRUNO Surace has released a social media statement, expressing the ‘sad’ and ‘painful’ emotions attached to his controversial defeat against Jaime Munguia.
The pair squared off in a largely one-sided encounter last month, with former world champion Munguia, 45-2 (35 KOs), ultimately claiming a unanimous decision victory.
In doing so, the 28-year-old avenged his stunning sixth-round stoppage defeat of last year, placing himself back in the shop window for a potentially lucrative opportunity at 168lbs.
It emerged earlier this month, however, that Munguia had returned adverse findings of exogenous testosterone following a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) test.
Naturally, the Mexican and his team were swift to claim innocence, insisting that his positive A-sample test must only be the result of contamination.
It was then revealed just two days ago – via a statement from Team Munguia – that the result of his B-sample test offers no revelations.
Yet still, the contamination theory – as used by the majority of fighters who test positive for a performance-enhancing substance – has shown few signs of faltering.
All the while, Surace, 26-1-2 (5 KOs), has been left to process the deeply concerning situation, waiting, like the rest of us, for an outcome to be delivered by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC).
As the recognised governing body for the Riyadh Season event in May, the Board must reach a conclusion regarding Munguia’s victory – and whether it is to be overturned to a no-contest – while also determining the extent of his punishment.
In any case, though, Surace refuses to remain silent about the alarming nature of his last outing.
“Even if the truth always comes out, that’s not the outcome I came here for,” the Frenchman wrote on Instagram, as though the result of his fight with Munguia has already been overturned.
“That’s not why I sacrificed everything. I can’t rejoice in this situation because there’s nothing to celebrate in it.
“It’s sad for our sport. It is unfair to those who train with integrity. And it’s painful for those who fight cleanly, honestly.
“Boxing is a tough sport. [It] asks for everything and sometimes gives little. But that’s why we love [it] too. How I feel today is great disappointment but also an even stronger desire to keep fighting for myself, for my team, for everyone who believes in fair boxing.”
