About PED Testing For Wilder-Povetkin…

The testing thing popped up three weeks ago when the new WBA secondary heavyweight champion Lucas Browne popped positive for a banned substance following his win over Ruslan Chagaev in Russia.

The substance clenbuteral, which can be used to aid in weight loss and positively affect stamina, was found in a Browne sample in a test overseen by the US agency VADA. Team Browne asserts their innocence, and the fighter declares he didn’t knowingly ingest the banned chemical. The implication put forth by Browne and company, including promoter Ricky Hatton is that the substance made its way into his system or the sample through an aberrant method, by who or how left unsaid.

That whole kerfuffle leads more eyes to be trained in the testing protocol for the forthcoming Deontay Wilder title defense of his WBC heavyweight crown, against Alexander Povetkin, in Povetkin’s homeland of Russia. We asked Wilder co-trainer and manager Jay Deas what the testing arrangement is for the May 21 tangle, which will screen on Showtime.

“We are excited to be working with VADA and can’t wait to get started,” he told me. Wilder wants to provide a sample, seems like. Does Povetkin as much? “I’m not sure. We just worry about us and as for us we’re ready to go. There’s a reason Deontay has four title fights in 12 months and about to have 5 in 16 months. He’s always in shape, always ready. Fought a Cincinnati guy in Cincinnati. Fought a Mexican in Mexico. Fought an Englishman in England. Next is a Russian in Russia. This is nothing new. We stay ready.”

The WBC boss is Mauricio Sulaiman. “Both are enrolled in the Clean Boxing Program and VADA is fully responsible,” he told me.

Dr. Margaret Goodman heads up VADA. “VADA is happy to be working with all in boxing who support clean sport. We are extremely excited about the upcoming WBC’s Clean Boxing Program to be administered by VADA. President Sulaiman should be congratulated for his tough stance against performance enhancing drugs.”

My take: It is April 6….seems like the Wilder crew is ready to test. Is Povetkin as eager? Ideally, one would think, testing is ON for a fight to take place in little over six weeks from now. Do I sense dragging of feet?…if that is so, whoever is doing so, c’mon now..if any sport deserves a clean atmosphere, it’s ours.