Tag: VADA

Sergey Kovalev-Bektemir Melikuziev fight canceled after failed drug test

The fight between Sergey Kovalev and Bektemir Melikuziev has been canceled after Kovalev tested positive for a banned substance.

The fight between Sergey Kovalev and Bektemir Melikuziev – scheduled for Jan. 30 in Indio, Calif. – has been canceled after Kovalev tested positive for a banned synthetic testosterone.

The announcement was made in a news release from Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Melikuziev.

The release read: “The Kovalev vs. Melikuziev boxing event scheduled for Jan. 30 has been canceled following a positive test for a banned substance on behalf of Sergey Kovalev through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

“Upon learning of Kovalev’s adverse finding, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) determined that they must cancel the event.
“While we are crushed for “The Bully” (Melikuziev), we know that he will nevertheless have a tremendous year in 2021. We look forward to our next scheduled boxing event on Feb. 13.”

BoxingScene obtained a copy of a letter that was sent to all parties involved by VADA, which conducted the drug test. It reads in part:

“Adverse analytical finding: IRMS (isotope-ratio mass spectrometry) results are consistent with exogenous origin of testosterone and metabolites.”

And: “Mr. Kovalev has the right to promptly request analysis of the ‘B’ sample at his expense.”

BoxingScene asked Kovalev’s longtime promoter, Kathy Duva, to comment.

“We are aware of the adverse finding from VADA,” she said. “Sergey Kovalev has been proven to be a clean fighter throughout the many years that he has been tested by VADA. VADA was contracted for this fight at his insistence, as he has requested for almost all of his fights going back several years.

“He maintains that he did not purposefully ingest any banned substances. We have made arrangements to have his supplements tested for contamination and will request that VADA test his B sample.”

Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) last fought in November 2019, when he was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in the 11th round to lose his 175-pound title.

Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) is a natural super middleweight but agreed to a catch weight of 178 pounds for the fight. The Uzbek is a 2016 Olympic silver medalist.

Sergey Kovalev-Bektemir Melikuziev fight canceled after failed drug test

The fight between Sergey Kovalev and Bektemir Melikuziev has been canceled after Kovalev tested positive for a banned substance.

The fight between Sergey Kovalev and Bektemir Melikuziev – scheduled for Jan. 30 in Indio, Calif. – has been canceled after Kovalev tested positive for a banned synthetic testosterone.

The announcement was made in a news release from Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Melikuziev.

The release read: “The Kovalev vs. Melikuziev boxing event scheduled for Jan. 30 has been canceled following a positive test for a banned substance on behalf of Sergey Kovalev through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

“Upon learning of Kovalev’s adverse finding, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) determined that they must cancel the event.
“While we are crushed for “The Bully” (Melikuziev), we know that he will nevertheless have a tremendous year in 2021. We look forward to our next scheduled boxing event on Feb. 13.”

BoxingScene obtained a copy of a letter that was sent to all parties involved by VADA, which conducted the drug test. It reads in part:

“Adverse analytical finding: IRMS (isotope-ratio mass spectrometry) results are consistent with exogenous origin of testosterone and metabolites.”

And: “Mr. Kovalev has the right to promptly request analysis of the ‘B’ sample at his expense.”

BoxingScene asked Kovalev’s longtime promoter, Kathy Duva, to comment.

“We are aware of the adverse finding from VADA,” she said. “Sergey Kovalev has been proven to be a clean fighter throughout the many years that he has been tested by VADA. VADA was contracted for this fight at his insistence, as he has requested for almost all of his fights going back several years.

“He maintains that he did not purposefully ingest any banned substances. We have made arrangements to have his supplements tested for contamination and will request that VADA test his B sample.”

Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) last fought in November 2019, when he was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in the 11th round to lose his 175-pound title.

Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) is a natural super middleweight but agreed to a catch weight of 178 pounds for the fight. The Uzbek is a 2016 Olympic silver medalist.

NSAC cleared to discipline Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for refusing drug test

A judge on Tuesday cleared the way for Nevada officials to discipline Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for refusing to submit a urine sample.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission can discipline Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for refusing a urine test after all.

A judge on Tuesday dismissed a restraining order won by Chavez and upheld a motion to dismiss his case, which has taken a number of turns since Chavez, scheduled to fight Daniel Jacobs in Las Vegas, refused to submit a sample to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency on Oct. 24, according to a report on BoxingScene.com.

BoxingScene.com’s Thomas Hauser laid out this timeline:

Oct. 30 – The NSAC suspends Chavez temporarily pending the results of a commission meeting on Nov. 20.

Nov. 20 – The suspension is extended by a unanimous vote until a final disciplinary action is brought against Chavez. The Chavez-Jacobs fight, set for Dec. 20, is subsequently moved to Phoenix.

Dec. 17 – A Nevada court grants Chavez’s request for a temporary restraining order preventing the NSAC from proceeding with the disciplinary action.

Jan. 15 – The NSAC files a motion to kill the restraining order. Chavez, according to Hauser, responds by filing a motion to change the restraining order to a preliminary junction.

March 5 – The NSAC files a motion to dismiss Chavez’s case against it.

April 28 – A judge grants both of the NSAC’s motions and denies Chavez’s request via a conference call. That allows Nevada officials to discipline Chavez  for refusing to submit a sample for the drug test.

WBC, Voluntary Anti-Doping Association to resume random drug testing

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said that his organization, in conjunction with VADA, will soon resume random drug testing.

Cheaters beware.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told ESPN Deportes that his organization, in conjunction with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, will soon resume random drug testing as part of its Clean Boxing Program.

The WBC suspended testing on March 21 to protect those involved in the process during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are in communication with VADA, they are already organizing the corresponding protocols to start the tests for the Clean Boxing Program, we have made a lot of progress in the administrative work and very soon the surprise tests will start randomly,” Sulaiman said.

He went on: “We are ready. It is a matter of the laboratory confirming the areas where the tests can be carried out. It was suspended for care, health, and in order not to put laboratory collectors or boxers and their families at risk.

“It was illogical to think that during a pandemic, when everyone is forced to be at home, in many countries by law, a project that disobeys such liaisons will be considered or forced.”

Alejandra Jimenez allegedly tests positive for banned substance

A sample taken from Alejandra Jimenez the day before she beat Franchon Crews-Dezurn allegedly tested positive for a banned substance.

Alejandra Jimenez made a splash by outpointing Franchon Crews-Dezurn to win two titles on Jan. 11. Now the victory could amount to nothing.

A sample taken from Jimenez the day before the fight tested positive for a banned substance, according to the World Boxing Council, which sanctioned the bout.

The banned substance wasn’t identified.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman issued the following statement:

“The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has notified the WBC that an “A” Sample collected on January 10 from WBC Female Super Middleweight World Champion Alejandra Jimenez has yielded an adverse finding for a banned substance under the WBC Clean Boxing Program. The WBC will follow its customary protocol by, among other steps, affording Champion Jimenez the opportunity to witness the opening of the “B” Sample, or send a representative to do so.

“The WBC will conduct an in-depth investigation of the circumstances that led to the adverse finding. Champion Alejandra Jimenez will receive the due process the WBC Clean Boxing Protocol provides. As it is customary in similar situations, the WBC will provide additional information as the investigative and adjudicative process moves forward.”

Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya, who handles Crews-Dezurn and promoted the fight, issued this statement:

“It is extremely unfortunate to learn that WBC and WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Alejandra Jimenez (13-0-1, 9 KOs) has tested positive for banned substances after her title fight with Franchon Crews-Dezurn (6-2, 2 KOs) on January 11. As Franchon’s promoter, we are incredibly disappointed for her as she worked incredibly hard to defend her titles.  However, our job is to ensure the safety of our fighters both inside and outside of the ring. Thus, we have always insisted and supported testing through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) for all of our world championship fights. Jimenez’s fight against Franchon Crews-Dezurn is no exception. Now our job is to find justice for Franchon by working closely with the WBC and the WBO in order to re-instate her as a world champion.”

Crews-Dezurn’s trainer, Barry Hunter, told ESPN that he would like the fighters to meet again.

“I would still like to fight her again,” Hunter said. “I definitely think Franchon was the better fighter. I thought Jimenez’s advantage was that she was in better shape. Now with this coming out, and if this stands to be true, that’s a whole ‘nother ballgame.”