Canelo Alvarez tests positive for a banned substance ahead of Golovkin rematch.
On Monday, Golden Boy Promotions issued a statement revealing Saul “Canelo” Alvarez tested positive for banned substance Clenbuterol ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Gennady “GGG” Golovkin on May 5.
Clenbuterol stimulates the beta-2 receptor, which actively reverses airway obstructions and provides improved respiratory capacity. This makes it a suitable asthma medication, although it has never been approved as such due to the superior viability of similar products.
Clenbuterol is more often used as a thermogenic fat-burner. The beta-2 receptors stimulate cell mitochondria to produce and release more heat- as the body’s temperature increases, so does fat burning.
Clenbuterol has also been cited as an anabolic (which is why it is given to livestock) although little conclusive research has been conducted on this effect in humans.
Golden Boy has suggested that the failed test was due to Canelo consuming contaminated meat.
Daniel Eichner, Director of SMRTL, the WADA-accredited lab that found the substance, said the “values are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination.”
USADA has also cited the danger of ingesting banned substances through poorly-sourced meat.
In response to this development Canelo has announced he is is leaving the country of Mexico to train in America:
“I am an athlete who respects the sport and this surprises me and bothers me because it had never happened to me,” said Canelo. “I will submit to all the tests that require me to clarify this embarrassing situation and I trust that at the end the truth will prevail.”
It is unclear at this time what effect, if any, this positive test will have on the upcoming fight. According to director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission:
“The current plan is to continue to test Mr. Alvarez so that the Nevada State Athletic Commission can make a final determination. Mr. Alvarez has the right to promptly request analysis of the ‘B’ samples at his expense.”
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