Drug testing agencies have had a busy week.
The WBC today announced that Luis Nery, who battered Shinsuke Yamanaka to win the sanctioning body’s bantamweight title last week, has tested positive for zilpaterol, which is normally given to cows to increase their size.
Mauricio Sulaiman stated that no decision has yet been made as to the belt’s status.
If the drug’s name sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because it’s a similar substance to Clenbuterol, which multiple fighters have tested positive for and blamed on tainted beef. Nery reportedly failed a pre-fight test and has not yet asked for his B-sample to be opened.
If this turns out to indeed be doping and not a tainted beef situation, it’s hard not to feel heartbroken for Yamanaka. “God’s Left” was one win away from tying the Japanese record for title defenses when Nery laid a beating on him that forced Yamanaka’s corner to rush into the ring to protect him.
We all know this sport isn’t clean, but it still sucks to be reminded.