WBC Adopting a New Standard for Clenbuterol Testing
The WBC is adopting the WADA’s threshold regarding clenbuterol in response to the failed tests by Rey Vargas and Julio Cesar Martinez. In 2018 Saul ”Canelo” Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol prior to his bout with Gennady ”GGG” Golovkin. Alvarez would serve a six-month suspension due to the test result. WADA has acknowledged that athletes from certain regions are more susceptible to clenbuterol contamination due to localized meat processing.
This move by the WBC is highly controversial on several fronts. First is that the WBC uses VADA as their agency of choice. Second is that it virtually exempts fighters from certain areas of positive test results regarding clenbuterol. Finally, this opens the door to possible micro-dosing. This decision puts a lot of scrutiny on the WBC’s clean boxing program. It’s hypocritical to change their standards to prioritize monetary gain over safety when they founded the program for that singular purpose. It’s also poor messaging considering we’ve had four ring-deaths in 2019.
In conclusion, the WBC showed where the power truly resides and that’s with the promoters. This is another example suggesting the use of PED testing for PR purposes rather than safety. Followers of the sport have to ask the question “What other PED standards will be compromised to allow for fights to continue”? This now opens the door for future modifications to testing protocols that allow fighters to circumvent the rules. Ultimately this might be the first step in changing the rules to ultimately undermine drug testing procedures, therefore allowing fights to continue even if there’s a questionable test result.
By: Corey Cunningham
