Canelo Alvarez Fails Drug Test, Blames Contaminated Meat

Mar 5, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: May 23, 2024, 10:11 am

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Boxer Canelo Alvarez poses during a news conference at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live to announce the upcoming rematch against Gennady Golovkin on February 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Middleweight boxer Canelo Alvarez has tested positive for a banned drug, and his promoters blame contaminated meat.

A voluntary test showed Alvarez had traces of clenbuterol. A statement from Golden Boy Promotions said the amount was consistent with meat contamination that has impacted athletes in Mexico and China.

Daniel Eichner, director of the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory that conducted the test, wrote Monday: “These values are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination.”

Alvarez is scheduled for a rematch with middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin on May 5 in Las Vegas, a highly anticipated fight after their draw last year.

Alvarez will move his training camp from Mexico to the United States and submit to additional tests, Golden Boy said.

Clenbuterol, often used by asthmatics, has fat burning properties and athletes have been known to use it to help them drop body fat and weight quickly. Among those who have tested positive for it are baseball players Raul Mondesi and Guillermo Mota, champion cyclist Alberto Contador, and a number of participants in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me,” Alvarez said. “I will submit to all the tests that require me to clarify this embarrassing situation and I trust that at the end the truth will prevail.”

Alvarez, 27, of Mexico, and Golovkin, from Kazakhstan, are among the best active boxers. Alvarez, whose given name is Saul, is 49-1-2 with 34 knockouts. He relinquished his previous belts before meeting Golovkin last September, when Alvarez won on one card 118-110, lost 115-13 on another and third judge had it 114-114.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Newsletter

News

SEATTLE, A detail of the WNBA logo is seen on a basketball during warmups between the Seattle Storm...

Brenden Nunes

Golden State WNBA Team Name Announced

There is a new Golden State WNBA team, with their team name, Valkyries, and logo being announced this week.

9 months ago

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 09: Jon Rahm of Spain celebrates on the 18th green after winning the 2023 ...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Who should golf fans keep an eye on during the 2024 Masters?

The Masters Tournament will get underway on Thursday morning in Augusta, Georgia. Which golfers should fans keep an eye on this week?

10 months ago

Colombia's midfielder Steven Alzate (R) vies for the ball with Mexico's defender Gerardo Arteaga du...

Amiliano Fragoso

Copa America USA 2024 tickets on sale February 28th

Tickets for Copa America USA 2024 go on sale Wednesday, February 28th at 10 a.m. local time for each stadium.

12 months ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings duri...

Brenden Nunes

Mike Brown disagrees with crucial calls in final seconds of Kings, Suns

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown expressed his frustration with the late-game officiating in their narrow loss to the Phoenix Suns.

1 year ago

Bark Purdy (right) from the Sacramento SPCA...

Digit Al

Sacramento’s Bark Purdy a finalist in Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl

Sacramento SPCA's Bark Purdy is one win away from chewing on the "Lombarky" trophy courtesy of Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl.

1 year ago

General view of the glove bins at boutique boxing club, KOBOX, Baker street on September 29, 2020 i...

Del Rodgers, KCRA Sports Director

DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento to host professional boxing card on Jan. 20

Boxing promoter Nasser Niavaroni of Upper Cut Promotions will host Northern California’s first professional boxing card on Jan. 20 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. Included on the card are international boxers like Islam Abdusamadov from Dagestan, Russia, who has 50 amateur fights under his belt, but he will make only his second pro fight […]

1 year ago

Canelo Alvarez Fails Drug Test, Blames Contaminated Meat