Canelo Alvarez crafted a suspension agreement with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, it was announced Wednesday, and the Mexican hitter will be suspended from boxing for six months, retroactive to the date he tested positive for a performance enhancer, clenbuterol.
The May 5 sequel scrap between Canelo and Gennady Golovkin is scrapped, obviosuly, but the timing now seems right to resurrect the re-do for September.
The back and forth and drama which has befogged Canelo since the positive test results came out, after VADA testing, has been the boxing news story of the year.
For the record, US commissions obey each others' rulings, by and large, so no, one wouldn't expect he try and skirt the suspension and fight before September. Canelo's punishment ends August 17, six months after his first PED positive.
Here is the release sent out by Canelo's promoter, Golden Boy:
STATEMENT FROM GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS
LOS ANGELES (April 18, 2018) – Golden Boy Promotions has issued the following statement in response to Canelo Alvarez's settlement agreement with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“As we have maintained all along, the trace amounts of clenbuterol found in Canelo's system in February came from meat contamination, and we provided the Nevada State Athletic Commission with a great deal of evidence to support those facts.
Although most professional sports, international anti-doping agencies and United States boxing commissions treat meat contamination differently from other positive tests, Nevada does not. Canelo and Golden Boy Promotions respect the rules of Nevada and are therefore satisfied with the settlement agreement reached today.
“Canelo looks forward to returning to the ring in September for Mexican Independence Day weekend to represent Mexico and boxing in what will be the sport's biggest event of the year. He is ready to continue his remarkable record of fighting at the highest level.”
The Nevada tribunal approved the six month suspension unanimously. It was actually a one-year punishment, but because he showed pentitence, it got rolled back to six months.
So, this is where it stands now. Seems like we should have a clear path to the sequel in the fall.But this is boxing…Clear paths do have a way of getting cluttered. Check back, often…
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