Posts Tagged ‘steroids’

Donaire vs. Ridgondeaux in Jeopardy Over Drug Testing

Posted: February 19, 2013 in Fight News
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Nonito Donaire, Jorge Arce

Nonito Donaire is threatening to call off his tentative plans to face Guillermo RidgonDeaux in a title unification match over Ridgondeaux’s alleged refusal to participate in anti-doping tests.

The fight, set for April 13 at Radio City Music Hall, was scheduled to have a New York City press conference with both fighters attending on Thursday (February 21). Donaire took to Twitter to state he will not attend the press conference or agree to the fight since Ridgondeaux will not submit to drug testing from VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency).

“Rigo’s team verbally agreed to VADA testing both online and in negotiations,” tweeted Donaire, who currently submits to year round VADA testing. “But now that the contract to start testing is in front of them, they are finding every excuse not to sign and delay the start of the testing. I have not signed my fight contract yet to fight him so I have no obligations to fight only him. It disappoints me that top fighters these days run from everything that will hold professional boxing integrity to the highest standard.”

Donaire went on to state that he will not entertain further negotiations with Ridgondeaux and will “immediately” start looking for other opponents.

At press time, Ridgondeaux has not released a statement.

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I will always maintain that there is no excuse for any fighter to not take a drug test. If Donaire’s statements are true, he is well within his rights to turn down a fight from someone that may be punching him in the face while juiced on performance enhancing drugs.

With that said, this is the second big fight for Donaire that’s fallen through in the last few months. The Abner Mares failure can be placed solely on the Golden Boy-Top Rak feud. Ridgondeaux was the second best option. Who’s the third? Jonathan Romero holds the IBF super bantamweight title, so that may be Donaire’s best bet. The Filipino Flash would likely have an easy time with him, but it’s slim pickings unless he dares to make a jump to featherweight.

One other thing. It amazes me that after the debacle that was the Brandon Rios-Yuriorkis Gamboa negotiations, promoters still go forward with booking press conferences and other media obligations before a contract is signed.

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Yuriorkis Gamboa Named in “East Coast Balco” Steroid Scandal

Posted: January 29, 2013 in Fight News
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YuriorkisGamboa

Former featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa has been named as a client of a Miami-based clinic that has prescribed performance enhancing drugs to a group of high-profile professional athletes for the past several years.

According to the Miami New Times, the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis dealt human growth hormones (HGH), anabolic steroids and testosterone before it closed last month. Gamboa allegedly became a client based on the handwritten notebook of Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch, who prescribed a regimen for the boxer that included HGH and a testosterone cream.

In addition, the Bosch’s notes recommended that Gamboa cycle off performance enhancing drugs preceding his canceled April 2012 fight with Brandon Rios, advising Gamboa to “start clean-up Dec.1.”

Gamboa is the only boxer named in the investigation along with a list that inclues prominent baseball stars such as Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Nelson Cruz.

The developing story has already been dubbed the “East Coast Balco” in memory of the West Coast clinic that exposed the steroid use of athletes such as Marion Jones and Shane Mosley nearly a decade ago.

At press time, Gamboa nor his representatives could be reached for comment.

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“Innocent until proven guilty” is still the motto we should all adhere to, but I’m positive no one is surprised no matter when you stand on this issue. When you consider that the steroid tests for boxing really didn’t become a serious topic until early 2010 when the first Mayweather-Pacquiao negotiations collapsed, the idea that Gamboa, who scored devastating KOs in all his 2009 fights, has a monster physique and a freakish combination of speed and power, might have been on something is not that big of a stretch.

We’ll see where this goes in the coming weeks. Unless Gamboa is forced to testify in front of a grand jury, I doubt he’ll divulge many details.

Pacquiao & Mayweather Reach Settlement on Steroid Defamation Case

Posted: September 26, 2012 in Fight News
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Manny Pacquiao has agreed to an undisclosed settlement to his December 2009 defamation lawsuit against the Mayweathers over implied steroid accusations.

The Associated Press reports the terms of the settlement are “strictly confidential” and came after a judge decreed that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. pay Pacquaio $14,000 for refusing to be questioned in the case. Mayweather’s father and uncle, Floyd Sr. and Roger, were also named in the original lawsuit.

A statement was released today by retired judge turned mediator Daniel Weinstein on behalf of Team Mayweather:

Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions wish to make it clear that they never intended to claim that Manny Pacquiao has used or is using any performance enhancing drugs, nor are they aware of any evidence that Manny Pacquiao has used performance enhancing drugs. Manny Pacquiao is a great champion, and no one should construe any of our prior remarks as claiming that Manny Pacquiao has used performance enhancing drugs.

Weinsten was an integral part of the first failed negotiations between Mayweather and Pacquiao from late 2009 through early 2010, which completely collapsed over the drug testing issue and resulted in Pacquiao facing Joshua Clottey and Mayweather taking on Shane Mosley.

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The sad irony is it took three years and the intervention of the judicial system for these two to come an agreement. Unfortunately, that agreement doesn’t pertain to them fighting in the ring.

Outside of their devoted, rabid fans who to this day still love to troll and argue back and forth on boxing message boards, this fight started losing its luster well over a year ago. With Mayweather fighting sporadically and Pacquiao far removed from his 2009 form, this bout isn’t the superfight it could have been. When it does happen, it’ll be a cash-out, money-grab for both men instead of the legacy bout it appeared destined to be.

Place the majority of blame wherever to you like; there’s more than enough to go around between Mayweather, Pacquiao and Arum.

[VIDEO] Prenice Brewer’s Epic Post-Fight Rant on Steroids, Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao

Posted: June 2, 2012 in Fight News
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This clip needs a little bit of context to get the full hilarity of it. Brewer had just lost a clear unanimous decision bout to Ronald Cruz. Brewer was stunned in many rounds and close to being stopped on several occasions. To his credit, Brewer didn’t succumb but there was no doubt who the winner was (scores were 118-110 across the board). After the decision was announced, Brewer dropped to his knees in shock and then conducted this surreal post-fight interview. Don’t know if we’ll be seeing Brewer again on TV. Only thing that would’ve made this better is Larry Merchant.

Berto & Peterson Sad Proof of Boxing’s Biggest Problem

Posted: May 18, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Boxing fans the world over got another collective hook on the jaw with the news that Andre Berto has tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, effectively putting his highly-anticipated June 23 rematch against Victor Ortiz in immense peril.

It’s a surreal case of deja vu; just 11 days ago, Lamont Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone and had his rematch with Amir Khan cancelled. Even worse, the positive test confirmed that Peterson used the illegal drug before his career-best victory over Khan last December.

The details of Berto’s case are still being ironed out. In recent fights he’s worked with former disgraced BALCO steroid guru turned anti-doping crusader Victor Conte. Now that Berto’s tested positive, Conte has been in damage control and claimed on Twitter Berto admitted to taking additional supplements without checking with him first to make sure they weren’t “contaminated.” Conte has been adamant that Berto was not deliberately trying to gain advantage over Berto, just uninformed about what he was taking.

While Berto and his team try to salvage his reputation, there’s one point that needs to be stressed. There is absolutely no reason why stringent anti-doping testing shouldn’t be a part of every major fight and be a protocol that’s actively supported by every boxing commission in the country. It should not be a “request” confined to contractual negotiations.

Unfortunately, things are going to get worse before they get better. These two busts by two of the sports more prominent fighters just drives home how deep this problem has permeated this sport. How many fighters have been ruined by the fists of a steroid abuser? How many great performances over the years were the result of synthetic help?
What past legends and current stars made their careers with doping as a staple training tool?

We can’t undo the past, but let’s hope these two busts are harbingers for the end of steroid cheating in the Sweet Science.

Rematch Cancelled: Peterson Denied License, Khan Looks for Summer Replacement

Posted: May 9, 2012 in Fight News
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Lamont Peterson has been denied a boxing license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, effectively ending hopes of saving the May 19 rematch with Amir Khan following Peterson’s positive tests for illegal synthetic testosterone.

Yesterday, Peterson’s team submitted medical documents to NSAC officials to support their stance that his use of testosterone pellets was strictly for medicinal purposes to correct low testosterone count.

NSAC officials rejected Peterson’s stance as he nor his team had previously disclosed a=the medical condition. In addition, Peterson failed to notify Khan and his promoter Golden Boy when he was informed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Asscoation (VADA) that his March 2012 urine sample had tested positive.

“He and his team say it was inadvertent. We consider it dishonest,” said NSAC executive director Kizer. “We have to go through the proper procedures, not least with reference to the chairman of the commission, who has final say on granting a license, but we see no alternative to refusing to grant him a license.”

Khan took to Twitter earlier tonight to inform fans of the fight cancellation and hopes to fight on rescheduled date of June 30 at the earliest. An estimated 4000 fans from the UK were expected to attend the May 19 fight.

Peterson, who won a controversial split decision over Khan in December, is expected to suspended and stripped of the WBA and IBF junionr welterweight titles he won from Khan.

At press time, Lamont Peterson has not made a statement on the NSAC’s decision.

HBO Boxing: Khan vs. Peterson I – Flashback [VIDEO]

Posted: May 9, 2012 in Fight News
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What was originally a video made by HBO to hype May 19′s Khan-Peterson rematch has now taken on a sinister edge in the wake of Lamont Peterson’s steroid bust. As of press time, the rematch hasn’t been officially called off, but the odds aren’t looking good. Peterson admitted to using testoreone pellets before the first bout and then maintains he “forgot” about them after first testing positive back in April. Much like what happened with Antonio Margarito’s signature 2009 win over Miguel Cotto, Peterson’s victory over Khan is now has a huge question mark stain over that will never come out. Was it the drugs that helped Peterson walk through Khan’s shots and keep up a rigorous attack to the body for most of the 12 round battle? How many other fights has Peterson used what his team is claiming was “medically justified” testoreone pellets?

This entire sitution will get much uglier. The sad point remains that one of the best fights of 2011, along with one of its participants, is likely forever tarnished over a foolish decision.

24/7 Pacquiao vs. Marquez Episode 3 [VIDEO]

Posted: November 6, 2011 in Fight News
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“It’s going to be another war…” – Nacho Beristain

A week out from the big fight, Juan Manuel Marquez is looking ripped. He gives a little more insight into his boxing regimen via his use of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. There’s also footage of Alfredo Angulo’s preparation for yesterday’s brutal battle with James Kirkland. Marquez’s strength and conditioning coach, Angel Hernandez, goes under the spotlight for his past steroid activity.

On Manny Pacquiao’s end, we see how charitable he is with his money — he contributes a down payment that allows one of his recently married sparring partners to buy his first home. Sparring-wise, Pacquiao has several partners in place to mimic Marquez’s counterpunching, timed aggression and durability.

One more episode airs next Friday before the November 12 showdown.

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Pacquiao Legal Team Seeks Default Judgment in Mayweather Lawsuit

Posted: August 8, 2011 in Fight News
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Legal representatives for Manny Pacquiao’s defamation lawsuit against  Floyd Mayweather have filed for a default judgment due to Mayweather’s refusal to answer the charges.

To date, Mayweather has failed to appear and answer over 20 previous deposition attempts. Pacquiao filed his lawsuit against Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions last year, stating that both defamed him with accusations of steroid use. Pacquiao has since dropped Golden Boy from the lawsuit.

“Mayweather is not above the law,” explained Pacquaio attorney Daniel Petrocelli to the Associated Press. “He’s essentially forfeited his right for a defense… He is basically undermining the legal process.”

Mayweather is currently in training and completing media requirements for his September 17 championship bout against WBC welterweight championship Victor Ortiz. However, Pacquiao’s 15-page motion includes photos of Mayweather attending parties and other social events to prove he’s brazenly avoiding the lawsuit.

At press time, Floyd Mayweather could not be reached for comment.

Andre Berto Accuses Victor Ortiz of Steroid Use

Posted: June 1, 2011 in Fight News
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Andre Berto believes new WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz utilized performance enhancing drugs to defeat him in April.

Ortiz stunned Berto badly in the first round and scored a knockdown. Berto would appear unsteady for the rest of the bout, but came back to score his own knockdown in round six. Ortiz would rebound that same round with another knockdown and go on to take a unanimous decision in a consensus Fight of the Year candidate.

Berto has maintained that he wasn’t at his best that night. Earlier today, Berto took to Twitter and implied Ortiz’s fight night weight of 165 for a welterweight bout was a clear indicator of drug abuse.

“N (sic) there is a reason why he came into the ring 165 pounds,” Berto said. “I know people close to him and his camp and I know exactly what (sic) he was taking.”

Super-middleweight contender Anthony Dirrell supported Berto’s statement by claiming he also knows the performance enhancing drugs Ortiz allegedly took. The full Twitter conversation can be viewed below.

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Andre Berto is dead wrong for this one. Make no mistake, performance enhancing drugs are a big problem in boxing.  But unless you have concrete proof, no fighter’s name or achievements should be smeared publicly. Berto’s Tweets are a clear example of a someone who is psychologically still struggling to accept his first defeat.

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