Canelo enters Voluntary Anti-Doping Association’s testing pool
Recently suspended Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has announced that he has enrolled on a year-round drug testing pool with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, according to a report on The Metro.
The Mexican is currently serving a six-month suspension for testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. His original rematch with Gennady Golovkin scheduled for 5th May was scrapped and Golovkin has repeatedly hit out at his rival since then.
Unified middleweight champion Golovkin claims Canelo was guilty of doping prior to their first bout and has thus been holding off on rescheduling an immediate rematch.
Accusations have been spiralling since the news and fan outrage has grown especially since Canelo refused to enrol in the WBC’s mandatory Clean Boxing Program.
Canelo’s reputation and legacy have taken a huge blow but the Mexican has emphasised that the failed drug test is a direct result of accidentally eating contaminated meat while training in his native Mexico.
The Nevada Athletic Commission decided to reduce Canelo’s suspension on the grounds that the World Champion was a first-time offender and co-operated during the investigation. Canelo is free to return to the ring in mid-August. A rematch with Golovkin will be his first and only thought after the widely disputed draw the first time around.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has responded to the backlash his fighter has endured following his suspension, informing ESPN, that:
This is voluntary, and Canelo is paying for the testing out of his own pocket because he wants to prove to his fans that he is a clean fighter.
Any time they want to test him he will make himself available, Canelo is doing this because he is listening to his fans. The criticism will always be there, but he decided to listen and prove to everyone that he is clean.
Canelo was randomly tested by the Nevada Commission on Monday and both fighters are reportedly eager to fight once again in September.