AFTER Canelo Alvarez failed a drug test, testing positive for traces of clenbutrol that he puts down to contaminated meat in Mexico, the WBA, who sanction one of the world titles due to be contested in the Mexican’s May 5 rematch with Gennady Golovkin, have reacted.
The WBA believe that it is an unintentional mistake and want to wait for further clarification.
“My first reaction is that I believe in Canelo’s innocence. He has a long career in professional boxing and has always proven to be a clean athlete,” WBA president Gilberto Jesús Mendoza said. “It seems that the issue of Clenbuterol is already a common case in Mexico. On previous occasions, fellow organizations have had to study this cause and therefore they know more about it, but I know that the sample is at the levels expected from the consumption of meat. He already said he will submit to all the protocols that are required and, while that happens, the WBA will continue to stand with Canelo, as it has always done.”
He expects the May 5 fight to go ahead.
Remarkably Mendoza said, “This is going to add a bit of drama to the fight, but I know that the fight will continue. The organizations will work to add additional protocols, although this procedure is endorsed by the VADA, an organization that has had a very positive experience in this fight against banned substances.”
