In this video interview with Fight Hub TV, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn shares some more thoughts on what he’s made out of the latest developments in Canelo Alvarez’s failed drug tests and what it means for him going forward. Check it out...
“The truth is that we’ll probably never know [if Canelo’s failed test was a result of tainted meat]. You have to make your own decisions and judgements, which is sometimes dangerous. Was he cheating? Was he unlucky? Either way his reputation is tarnished forever because it doesn’t matter — you fail a drug test, you fail a drug test.
“You look at his physique on the scales for the last Golovkin fight, everyone is already suspicious, and ever more so now. If he’s been unlucky then I feel terrible for him because maybe he is innocent. We will never know. What I will say is that it’s terrible for boxing that possibly, or the biggest superstar in the sport has failed a drug test. I think that the only way you’re gonna catch drug cheats is by random testing, and the WBA and WBC do a good job on that.
“But the commissions have to step up in my opinion, to enforce random testing. In England, in Britain, the British Boxing Board of Control — all the championship fighters are on random drug testing. UKAD will turn up, test them in camp, there’s no escape.”
On there being so many commissions in U.S. boxing:
“That’s the problem...[with an] American boxing federation that governed all commissions they could introduce an anti-doping program...testing on the night, at fights, is a complete waste of time. These guys — if they’re cheating, their breaking cycles, they know exactly what they’re doing. Cheating in boxing is not like cheating in the Tour de France. It’s not like cheating in the 100 meters...I’m talking about imprisoning people who [cheat in boxing].
“Some fighters get caught and they’ve been unlucky. But ultimately you are responsible for your sample. So anyone that gets caught is guilty. Now whether they did that intentionally or not, that’s always up for debate. Some fighters I know have tested positive I believe that they didn’t do it intentionally. Maybe I’m naive...
“But I believe that the commissions have to have random testing [programs] for fighters that they represent because it’s the only way that you’re gonna beat these people. Science moves very fast. If fighters, if promoters, if doctors, if trainers believe they can get an edge in a fight — there’s a lot of money at stake. But should the [Canelo-GGG] fight take place? I believe that’s the decision more for the camps.
“If Gennady Golovkin and Tom Loeffler are happy with what’s been put in place...I think the fight should go ahead.”
“...Having spoke to doctors, when we put a VADA random testing in process, previously we’ve done it with 8 weeks to go. The doctors have told me this is the biggest waste of time game. You need it 16 weeks out because a drug cheat will stop their cycle probably by 8 weeks...which is about the time that this has happened, which again don’t look great.
“...his team, Canelo Alvarez, these are professionals. If there is any doubt that the meat or food is contaminated, it’s your responsibility. If this has happened before they should know that “meat in Mexico” has the ability to be contaminated. Therefore don’t eat meat in Mexico because, as I said, you are responsible for your sample. He has been found guilty. He has failed a drug test...”