The middleweight title rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, set for May 5th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, is in jeopardy after Alvarez tested positive for trace amounts of Clenbuterol
In a statement released by Golden Boy, Alvarez denied the accusation:
“I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me,” he said. “I will submit to all the tests that require me to clarify this embarrassing situation and I trust that at the end the truth will prevail.”
In a news release from Golden Boy, Dr. Daniel Eichner, the president and lab director of the Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) that conducted the test of Alvarez, stated, “These values are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination.”
“Here’s what you do when there are allegations of meat contamination,” Novitzky said. “ … No. 1, you look at the science and you look at the levels. You have to determine if that level is consistent with meat contamination, which would be a very low level. But that, in and of itself, is not enough. The level [in Alvarez’s test] could mean that, ‘Hey, there was meat contamination,’ and it was a very little amount. Or, it can mean that it has been a while since the athlete purposely used Clenbuterol and the levels have just subsided.
What is Clenbuterol?
In the UK, Clenbuterol is classified as a Class C drug.Clenbuterol is used by sufferers of breathing disorders, such as asthma, but is illegal to buy or sell without a prescription.It has become a popular drug for bodybuilders looking to cut weight quickly – that is because it increases metabolism for those who take it.Like Salbutemol, Clenbuterol also works by dilating the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs, although its effects are more potent and longer lasting.In the European Union, Clenbuterol is not allowed to be used by any animals that will be consumed by humans, although those rules do not apply to countries outside of Europe.It is on the WADA banned list.Notably, cyclist Alberto Contador tested positive for the drug – he was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title in the aftermath.Mexican boxer Erik Morales was banned for two years after testing positive.Earlier this year, British Olympic sprinter Nigel Levine was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the drug.
Canelo’s rematch with Golovkin, 35, is still set for May 5th in Las Vegas, with both trying to avenge a controversial draw in their last fight. This could be boxing PR stuff, just to drum up controversy. Sad thing is with boxing you really never know. Guy likes to eat meat, can you blame him?
