Canelo Alvarez has tested positive for the steroid Clubenterol ahead of his megabucks rematch with Gennady Golovkin.
The boxer released a statement through his promoter Golden Boy Productions earlier today, stating the levels found in his system are consistent with that found in meat contamination — something that various Mexican athletes have pointed to over the past few years.
In the release, Daniel Eichner, Director of the WADA-accredited lab that tested Alvarez agreed, stating the “values are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination.”
Canelo vs. Golovkin II has not been cancelled, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission have been informed, and Alvarez is set to move his camp from Mexico to the United States. He will continue being tested in the lead up to the rematch, which takes place May 5.
. @Canelo had a PED test come back for trace levels of Clenbuterol. pic.twitter.com/cyTfKU6p0g
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) March 5, 2018
In the press release, Alvarez denied knowingly taking the steroid. Clubenterol is known to burn fat by increasing metabolism, build muscle and improve cardio.
“I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me,” Alvarez is quoted as saying. “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.”
Canelo/Golovkin II is expected to be the biggest boxing match of the year. It comes after their first fight was surrounded by controversy, judged to be a draw. At the time, boxing judge Adelaide Byrd came under intense scrutiny, after her scorecard differed from her colleagues by a wide margin, awarding Alvarez the fight with a 118-110 scorecard.
