One of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year now appears unlikely to go forward after the Nevada State Athletic Commission has made a formal complaint against Canelo Alvarez for his failed drug tests.
Alvarez tested positive twice in February for clenbuterol, a performance-enhancing drug that is banned by most sports organizations. While the level of the drug found in his system was consistent with contamination due to tainted meat, the test results were still controversial.
Those results immediately put into question whether the May 5 fight between Canelo and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin in jeopardy. While GGG later said he would still be willing to fight, he also had harsh words for his opponent, calling Alvarez and his team cheaters.
NSAC Suspension Options
Now the fight looks to be all but doomed. Bob Bennett, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission has filed a formal complaint against Canelo Alvarez, citing those failed drug tests. While no official decision has been made in regards to the May 5 fight, such a complaint will almost always come with punishment for the fighter involved, and Alvarez is already facing a temporary suspension because of the positive tests.
The NSAC had previously asked Alvarez to plan to appear at a commission hearing on April 10 to discuss the issue. At that time, the commissioners would make the determination to either extend the suspension or allow the fight to go forward.
The formal complaint will instead push that hearing to April 18, the date of the NSAC’s regular monthly meeting. However, ESPN reported that Bennett has said that the commission would accommodate the April 10 date if Alvarez wanted to hold the hearing then.
MGM Offers Refunds
Under the rules of the NSAC, a first-time offense for having clenbuterol in his system would land Canelo a minimum one-year suspension. A longer suspension is also possible, while the commission could also reduce the suspension by up to 50 percent if Alvarez is seen to have been cooperative with the investigation. He would not face a fine for the violation, as no fight purse would be awarded were the fight to be canceled.
While the future of the fight is technically still in doubt, all signs point to a cancelation. MGM Resorts International is now offering full refunds for tickets purchased for the fight. Meanwhile, several boxers have been suggested as options who could step in to fight GGG on May 5, including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Demetrius Andrade, and Spike O’Sullivan.
Even World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman doubts the fight could happen at this point.
“In my opinion, the fight on May 5 has died,” Sulaiman told ESPN Deportes. “I do not see how it could be saved [for them to fight] on May 5.”
In the meantime, GGG is still preparing for a fight against Canelo – or another potential opponent.
“We’re waiting for the official decision from the commission, but GGG is training and preparing for May 5 and that’s what he wants to do: fight May 5,” promoter Tom Loeffler told ESPN.
Oddsmakers are still offering action on the fight, with GGG listed as a -189 favorite over Alvarez (+150) at bwin. The first fight between the two middleweights resulted in a controversial split decision draw.
