WBC Says Willie Monroe Popped Positive On VADA Test

The main event of the Dec. 22 card at Barclays Center might be in flux, with word out that featured pugilist Willie Monroe tested positive for a banned substance in a recent analysis conducted by screening authority VADA.

“An adverse finding” is the term used in an afternoon Tweet by WBC boss Mauricio Sulaiman.

“The WBC will rule on Monday,” Sulaiman continued, meaning more details should be put forth on what the test showed, and how the event planners will be proceeding with this face-off. The WBC and VADA work in concert and their combined testing protocol is the most comprehensive in the sport.

Monroe, possessor of a 23-3 record, is 31 years old. The lefty middleweight is slated to tango with Jermall Charlo (27-0), from Texas, who holds the WBC interim middleweight strap.

Jermall’s twin bro Jermell is fighting in the co-feature that night, against Tony Harrison.

Might that fight be elevated to the featured attraction…will the show go on, and will Jermall vs Monroe hold together?

Texas based Adrian Clark manages Monroe. Clark told me that he had spoken to Monroe, and Monroe told him he is confident this is much ado about nothing, as he hadn’t taken any red-flag substance.