FEARED fighting twins Jermell and Jermall Charlo normally stand for double trouble but today they simply find themselves in trouble after missing a WBC anti-doping test conducted by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency).
Neither has tested positive for a prohibited substance, nor will they be stripped of their respective titles, but the WBC have said, in a statement, there will be inevitable penalties handed to the Charlo boys for their failure to adhere to the rules.
Jermell, the WBC super-welterweight champion, is set to defend his title against Tony Harrison on December, while Jermall, the WBC interim middleweight champion, defends his belt against Willie Monroe on the same night. Both fights will still go ahead.
“Every single fighter who is enrolled in the WBC Clean Boxing Program is responsible for his acts,” the statement read. “Trainers, managers and promoters must be aware of, and participate directly in the CBP compliance in support of the fighters they represent.
“I have seen with deep concern the many criticisms against WBC champion Jermell Charlo and interim champion Jermall Charlo regarding their missed tests.
“It is important for the WBC to clarify that both Charlos have been tested in the past and that the infraction they are facing is a missed test, which has been acknowledged and they will be responsible to pay the corresponding fine. It is important, however, to clarify that they have not tested positive for any substance whatsoever.
“This is why it is extremely urgent for all boxers to enroll in the CBP and to update at all times their residence and training location to VADA, which is the agency administrating the CBP for the WBC.
“It is very simple: if you are chosen for testing and are not available for the collector to test you, you will be incurring a missed test penalty.”
With a whopping 58 pro wins between them, many have been wondering when the Charlo twins would finally start showing some imperfections. This news, it would seem, represents the first blemish.
Middleweight Billy Joe Saunders is doing his best Floyd Mayweather impression in the days leading up to the WBC heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury by backing his mate, ‘The Gypsy King’, to the tune of a staggering £70,000 bet.
Like Mayweather, Saunders, to prove it, even posted a video of himself registering two bets, one of £20,000 and one of £50,000 at odds of 11/8. Because of the size of the bets, they had to be phoned in, and Saunders, while doing this, said: “Got to wire a bet through. Tyson Fury, ready to rock and roll. If we win we’re going to give this guy a drink.”
Should Fury win, Saunders stands to pocket a cool £166,250, a pick-me-up no doubt appreciated given the former WBO world middleweight champion saw a reported £2 million pay-day for an aborted defence against Demetrius Andrade fall by the wayside in October. Call it a blow-softener, shall we?
