Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez temporarily suspended over positive drug tests
Saturday 24 March 2018 09:05, UK
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has been temporarily suspended by Nevada boxing authorities over positive drug tests, putting his May 5 title rematch with Gennady Golovkin in jeopardy.
The Mexican middleweight returned a positive sample for trace levels of the prohibited substance Clenbuterol at the beginning of the month, prompting an investigation by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Canelo's clash with Golovkin last September controversially ended in a draw and the pair are scheduled to meet again at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
"Mr. Alvarez is temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission per the executive director for his adverse analytical findings, that being Clenbuterol, on February 17 and 20," a statement by commission executive director Bob Bennett said.
"A commission hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2018 to hear from Mr. Alvarez or for Mr. Alvarez to attend."
Golden Boy Promotions, who handle Alvarez, reiterated their stance that the fighter had not intentionally taken a banned drug.
"We respect the Nevada State Athletic Commission's process and will vigorously present Canelo's case throughout," they said in a statement.
"Over his career, Canelo has tested clean more than 90 times and would never intentionally take a banned substance."
In an earlier statement, Golden Boy had said Canelo's positive sample was consistent with meat contamination "which has impacted dozens of athletes in Mexico over the last years".
Watch Dillian Whyte against Lucas Browne, on Saturday, March 24 at The O2, live from 7pm on Sky Sports Action.
