It’s High Time For Boxing To Clean House

It’s High Time For Boxing To Clean House

By Jason Petock, Doghouse Boxing (May 21, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
-

It is no secret that athletes sometimes need an edge during competition. Stressors, being outclassed or outgunned, and a virtual symphony of challenges and other obstacles frequently present themselves in the most challenging of ways. This being said, there is no excuse for using performance enhancing drugs of any kind to gain an advantage over an opponent. Victory can and should be obtained through hard work, honest contest, and a solid dedication to craft and preparation. Boxing has recently made the headlines again for failed drug tests, setting the sport back that much further as a skeptical public looks on with disdain on pugilism and its participants. This isn’t the first time that boxing has been knee deep in scandal.

Argentinean boxer Mariano “Adrenalina” Carrera 32-6 (23) tested positive for the anabolic steroid Clenbuterol after his WBA Junior Middleweight bout with Javier “El Lince de Parla” Castillejo 62-8-1 (43) of Spain back in 2007. Orlando “Siri” Salido 38-11-2 (26) was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 2006 after he tested positive for the steroid Nandrolone in conjunction with his fight against Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero 29-1-1 (18) for the IBF Featherweight Belt. Boxing legend Roy Jones, Jr. 55-8 (40) even found himself in deep water alongside opponent Richard “The Destroyer” Hall 30-10 (28) when it was discovered that both men tested positive for the testosterone precursor Androstenedione.

Lamont “Havoc” Peterson 30-1-1 (15) has been all over the news recently for his failed drug test resulting in an immediate halt on his highly anticipated rematch with Amir “King Khan” Khan 26-2 (18). A urinalysis back in March found high levels of synthetic testosterone in his system, thus turning their proposed rematch into a cancellation. Immediately following the media uproar surrounding the Peterson debacle, Andre Berto 28-1 (22) popped hot for Norandrosterone, a steroid also known as Nandrolone. Berto said in his defense that, “I know that I have never used any steroids or other banned substances, and I am investigating all possible causes of the positive test.” Peterson’s team also denies the allegations as they “vigorously pursue the truth with regards to this matter and continue to fight to protect this young man’s character.”

Who can forget Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas 26-5 (22), a boxer who literally blew up physically in front of us prior to his matchup against Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya 39-6 (30)? Vargas took a beat down in his bout with De La Hoya even with the extra “push. He also found himself suspended and fined $100,000 for popping hot for the steroid Stanozolol, a drug that Olympian Ben Johnson lost his Gold medal over during the 1988 Summer Olympics. Vargas was adamant at the time that he had no knowledge of being on the substance. But most athletes never truly know what they are on half of the time anyway. Do they? Who can blame them? You can’t really expect professional athletes who are clearly adults to be responsible for what they put into their bodies on a daily basis now can you? Can you?

No matter who you believe when the issue of failed urinalysis’ and faulty drug tests are concerned, one thing is certain and that is the eye-opening realization that stricter testing measures must be implemented in regard to boxing. No one should be allowed off the hook to some blood-thirsty and greedy assed promoter who is more concerned with lining his own pockets and putting asses in the seats, when in turn his actions can put fighter’s lives in danger with the usage of illegal substances. It’s high time that those in control of these measures take their heads out of their asses and do something about what’s going on before someone else not only loses their career but quite possibly their life over something that could have been prevented with a little bit of hindsight on everyone’s part.

Boxers need to take responsibility as well and quit playing the “Who Me?” card. You know what you did now own up to it. You’re only cheating yourselves in the long run with a loss that is far greater than any loss you could ever suffer in the ring.

Jason can be reached with your questions, concerns, gripes, moans, complaints, insults or kudos at BoxingWarrior@hotmail.com. Your feedback is appreciated as always. Stay honest and keep punching.

CHECK IT OUT!!!! Check out the New Improved Forums here at Doghouse Boxing (Ipad, Mobile, Android and YouTube friendly. Also friendly with your Facebook and Twitter accounts) Check out the Dog Pound and have your say at: http://forums.doghouseboxing.com/
--
For much more boxng headlines, news, videos, interviews and more, visit the homepage at DoghouseBoxing.

Write for Doghouse Boxing: anthonyc1974@gmail.com.

NEW: Follow Doghouse Boxing on FaceBook!
For more Boxing News 24/7 and so much more...
visit our homepage now!