Boxing Promoter Gary Shaw responds to Antonio Tarver's Positive Drug Test
By Media Report (June 23, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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Promoter Gary Shaw is concerned about the damage done in the sport of boxing after the news Friday that Antonio Tarver tested positive for a banned substance in a pre-fight drug test
conducted by the California State Athletic Commission before his fight
with Lateef Kayode.
"It's
very worrisome where our sport is heading these days with the recent
array of fighters testing positive for banned substances," Shaw said.
"With all these fights being canceled its killing the sport and I hope
the networks are not going to lose interest. As promoters, we do our
best to make sure everyone is abiding by the rules. I'm happy that the
commissions are stepping up their stance on catching fighters cheating
because the safety of the fighter should always come first.
"It's
unfortunate that in Lateef Kayode's first major opportunity, he had to
fight on what appears to be an unlevel playing field. I have a lot of
respect for Antonio Tarver and would be very disappointed to find out
that he knowingly took performance enhancing drugs. It is my hope that
Tarver requests that the B sample will be tested and will show that
Tarver was clean. However if the sample comes back dirty, then the
commission should take appropriate action. It was a very close fight as
it was ruled a split draw, but now that we have been informed by the
California State Athletic Commission about the alleged drug use, I'll
have to talk to Lateef and his management team to see what we'll do to
resolve this matter.
"In
addition, the horrible scoring by the judges, the excessive use of
PED's, and the inability of promoters working together, is only going
to kill this sport,'' Shaw continued. "Something needs to be done and
major changes need to be made, and the time is now. The boxing business
is getting worse by the day and we are losing fans by the minute.
Boxing has been around longer than any other sport and we must keep the
integrity of the game pure. I implore the commissions around the United
States to take severe action against any fighter who doesn't abide by
the commissions' standards. We need a strict drug testing policy to
rid the sport of those that don't want to play by the rules, and we
need more competent judges."
More: SHOWTIME takes action & makes statement on Antonio Tarver's positive drug test db
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