Panel: How do you feel about Oscar Valdez being cleared to fight despite failing a performance-enhancing drug test?

Oscar Valdez

Question: How do you feel about Oscar Valdez being cleared to fight this Friday despite failing a performance-enhancing drug test?

Michael Conlan (featherweight contender)

Itโ€™s sad as I know Oscar as a person and donโ€™t think heโ€™s done this intentionally. But Iโ€™m completely against it going ahead. Where is the line drawn going forward now, in terms of a failed test? Itโ€™s a bad look for a sport that is already dangerous enough. Now, with the blurred lines, it could be made even more dangerous.

Dave Allen (heavyweight contender)

As disgusting as it is, Iโ€™m not shocked. And thatโ€™s as damning a statement as I can make on it.

Andy Clarke (commentator)

I donโ€™t think the fight should be happening. Given the situation around Valdezโ€™s test result I donโ€™t see how either he or Robson Conceicao can be in a fit mental state to box on Friday night.

Jamie Moore (trainer, former European light-middleweight champion)

I think itโ€™s disgusting and extremely dangerous. It makes a mockery of testing in the first place, because why test if thereโ€™s no consequences for a failed test? And what is the deterrent to stop people in future? It will actually encourage.

Andy Lee (trainer, former WBO middleweight champion)

I think itโ€™s terrible for the sport. I think itโ€™s the wrong decision. But the saddest thing about it is that Iโ€™m not surprised and I donโ€™t think anybody else is surprised that the fight is still going ahead. I could rant a lot about it but what good is it going to do? It just happens all the time in boxing, doesnโ€™t it?

evander holyfield
Evander Holyfield

Question: How do you feel about Evander Holyfield being licenced to fight in Florida at the age of 58?

Michael Conlan

Again, Iโ€™ll say Iโ€™m completely against this happening, also. These guys have already got lasting damage from boxing and are at a much higher risk of getting hurt now than they ever were during their fighting prime. I get that itโ€™s their choice, and they might earn money from it, but sometimes you need saving from yourself.

Dave Allen

Fifty-eight-year-old men should be nowhere near a boxing ring. Iโ€™ve just come around to the idea of Jake Paul being a boxer but I wonโ€™t ever come around to the idea of a senior citizen boxing.

Andy Clarke

Iโ€™d rather they hadnโ€™t licensed him, and the BBBofC certainly never would have. But if thereโ€™s money to be made then youโ€™ll likely always find a commission willing to do the necessary. Thatโ€™s just a reality of the industry Iโ€™m afraid.

Jamie Moore

I think that there comes a point where fighters need to be protected from themselves. The older you get, the greater the risk. I just feel really uncomfortable with it and donโ€™t like seeing legends of our sport take needless punishment at that stage of their lives.

Andy Lee

Iโ€™m fine with Evander Holyfield fighting again as long as itโ€™s against someone his own age, or around the same age, who has been as inactive as he has been. I donโ€™t want to see fighting any young, active fighters, but, as long as itโ€™s against someone his own age, and in an exhibition, Iโ€™ve no problem with it.

Share Page