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)
Itโs sad as I know Oscar as a person and donโt think heโs done this intentionally. But Iโm completely against it going ahead. Where is the line drawn going forward now, in terms of a failed test? Itโs 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, Iโm not shocked. And thatโs as damning a statement as I can make on it.
Andy Clarke (commentator)
I donโt think the fight should be happening. Given the situation around Valdezโs test result I donโt 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 itโs disgusting and extremely dangerous. It makes a mockery of testing in the first place, because why test if thereโs 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 itโs terrible for the sport. I think itโs the wrong decision. But the saddest thing about it is that Iโm not surprised and I donโt 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, doesnโt it?
Question: How do you feel about Evander Holyfield being licenced to fight in Florida at the age of 58?
Michael Conlan
Again, Iโll say Iโm 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 itโs 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. Iโve just come around to the idea of Jake Paul being a boxer but I wonโt ever come around to the idea of a senior citizen boxing.
Andy Clarke
Iโd rather they hadnโt licensed him, and the BBBofC certainly never would have. But if thereโs money to be made then youโll likely always find a commission willing to do the necessary. Thatโs just a reality of the industry Iโm 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 donโt like seeing legends of our sport take needless punishment at that stage of their lives.
Andy Lee
Iโm fine with Evander Holyfield fighting again as long as itโs against someone his own age, or around the same age, who has been as inactive as he has been. I donโt want to see fighting any young, active fighters, but, as long as itโs against someone his own age, and in an exhibition, Iโve no problem with it.