Billy Joe Saunders’ team issues statement.
Promoter Frank Warren has come out to issue the following statement on behalf of WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders following the failed VADA test:
“Following reports of an adverse analytical finding in a test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders, we can confirm that the product concerned is permitted to be used ‘Out of Competition’ by United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) in line with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). For the avoidance of doubt, the product in question was a common decongestant nasal spray.”
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), the licensing jurisdiction for Billy Joe Saunders, only affiliate with the UKAD/WADA.
VADA is the agency in which said testing was found to be positive. Therefore, the organization may handle things outside the guidelines of the BBBofC with every right to do so.
Today, we have confirmation that Mr. Saunders is not in breach of the BBBofC or UKAD anti doping regulations. While his boxing license and good standing remains intact with them, there is still the question of how things will be handled by VADA and the WBO.
All of Mr. Saunders’s numerous 2018 tests have come back negative, with his last out-of-competition test by UKAD taking place on 24th September 2018.
As for right now, it looks as if the fight vs WBO mandatory Demetrius Andrade is still on. In addition, Andrade seems willing to proceed. Hopefully, the WBO and VADA will consider the sentiments of the BBBofC.
By: Corey Cunningham
