Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Leagues and Governing Bodies

Alvarez Withdrawal From GGG Rematch Another Blow To Boxing

Alvarez claims his positive drug tests were the result of eating contaminated meat in MexicoGetty Images

Canelo Alvarez has officially withdrawn from his rematch with Gennady Golovkin due to two failed drug tests, and the situation is "just another example of how boxing shoots itself in the foot when things seem to be going well," according to Kevin Iole of YAHOO SPORTS. Alvarez claims that his positive drug tests on Feb. 17 and Feb. 21 for Clenbuterol "were the result of eating contaminated meat." But Alvarez has been "drug-tested often enough" to know that he "should have done far more than he did to prevent such a possibility." Golden Boy President Eric Gomez said that Alvarez pulled out of the fight "because there would not be enough time between fight night and his April 18 disciplinary hearing." Gomez also noted that Nevada’s rules "mandate a suspension, so it was unlikely Alvarez would be able to fight." Nevada "typically gives a one-year suspension for a drug in the class of Clenbuterol, but with cooperation, that can be cut in half." But by withdrawing now, Alvarez "gave Golovkin and his team time to put together and market a new fight." It is now "likely" any new fight "will be moved" from T-Mobile Arena to MGM Grand Garden Arena (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/3).

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: ESPN.com's Dan Rafael noted since the positive tests, Alvarez "moved his training camp" from Guadalajara, Mexico, to San Diego -- where he "usually trains -- and has been undergoing more rigorous VADA testing with several negative results since the positive results were delivered" (ESPN.com, 4/3).

GONE WITH THE WIND: USA TODAY's Martin Rogers writes with Alvarez out, "so disappears an opportunity for boxing to build on the momentum it built" during '17 with a "blockbuster showdown on one of Las Vegas’ biggest weekends of the year." Rogers: "What a way for a fight, especially such a highly-anticipated one, to disappear." Chances are that a "six-month ban will be handed down and the whole thing will happen again in September." It is the "best match-up in boxing and neither fighter can make as much money battling anyone else." It will still "hold appeal later in the year, but the fact remains that the rematch should be taking place in a few weeks' time, both to capitalize on the still-lingering buzz from the first fight and to hit boxing’s prime weekend on the calendar." This episode is "particularly hurtful" as Alvarez and Golovkin were "seen as upstanding men who lived and fought in a clean, no-nonsense manner" (USA TODAY, 4/4). ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. said Alvarez-GGG being called off is a "stubbed toe for boxing because that was a fight that drew a lot of controversy but also drew a lot of eyes." Golic Jr.: "It was an entertaining fight and everyone was looking forward to the next round. ... That's a tough blow for boxing." ESPN's Mike Golic: "This is the one we have all been looking forward to, the rematch" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 4/4). ESPN's Marcellus Wiley said of the fight, "We will see it once (Alvarez) gets clean" ("SportsNation," ESPN2, 4/3).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2018/04/04/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Canelo-GGG.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2018/04/04/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Canelo-GGG.aspx

CLOSE