Bob Arums Takes Issue With Eddie Hearn for Seeking Answers
On January 13, unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KO’s) will face the challenge of former super middleweight champion Callum “Mundo” Smith (29-1, 21 KO’s). Yet, ahead of the actual fight, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions found himself defending Beterbiev from bitter rival Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn over his questions for VADA.
This latest rift in their on-going feud was set into motion after Beterbiev provided an irregular drug test result. Apparently, the unified champion provided a sample to VADA which came back with trace elements of HGH and testosterone in his system. The amount of the substances were not sufficient to warrant a failed drug test, yet, by protocol, the situation demands further investigation and additional tests to be run.
WATER STILL MIGHT BE HOT!!
Understandably, Hearn, Callum’s promoter, took issue with the situation and demanded more answers and action. Upon hearing his words, Arum wasted little time in sharing his heated thoughts in a recent Q&A with Boxing Social.
“Eddie is despicable to have raised this issue when VADA, which is the premiere drug testing agency in the world, has made it plain what has happened. Atypical means that a trace is found in your blood or urine which can come from something that the body produces, and further tests will determine whether it’s from your body or from a substance that you’re taking . . . but it’s a non-issue.”
Clearly, Arum is downplaying the situation, which is his smartest play. Yet, this ordeal is far from over or guaranteed to go away. Just because Beterbiev was not flagged doesn’t not mean he is inherently innocent, or even cleared of this matter. This is precisely why more testing is required. When this additional examination takes place, the unified champ is just as likely to be vindicated as vilified. Said to say, the atypical finding is lightyears away from being a non-issue. Instead, it is merely a pressing, unresolved issue.
TIME WILL TELL
Regardless of what ultimately happens with the potential doping scandal, Beterbiev and Smith will have to put the matter to the side and prepare for combat. Ideally though, there will be concrete answers in short order. Until then, however, no matter what happens in the ring on January 13, there will be a question mark hanging above the contest and its results.
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