Philippines, 15 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


CANELO-GOLOVKIN REMATCH IS NOW IN JEOPARDY


PhilBoxing.com





The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) filed an official complaint against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez because the Mexican fighter failed two drug tests last February. Canelo is then required to appear, in person or by telephone, at a disciplinary hearing in Las Vegas scheduled on April 18.

The drug testing protocol was administered on Canelo in connection with his rematch with IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

Alvarez was twice tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol in random urine tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on February 17 and 20 in Guadalajara, Mexico prompting a temporary suspension from the NSAC.

Golden Boy Promotions, which handles the Mexican, have reasoned out that the positive tests resulted from contaminated meat, showing evidence from the laboratory that issued the tests.

"Right now the hearing is scheduled for April 18th, it could change depending on what happens with the attorneys... it could be sooner or it could be later... it depends on what progress they make or don't make," NSAC Executive Director Bob Bennett told BoxingScene.com.

In spite of the suspension the much awaited rematch is still on schedule on May 5 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo's camp cited food contamination as the cause for the positive drug testing results, claiming the boxer had unintentionally eaten contaminated meat while training in Mexico.

But the NSAC is steadfast in abiding with their regulations, particularly the ruling of NAC 467 that were made effective in September 2016.

The complaint filed seemed to undermine the defense, stating: ?Alvarez?s utilization, ingestion and/or consumption of Clenbuterol, whether intentional or not, constitutes an anti-doping violation.?

"Since Anthony Marnell has been at the helm [as NSAC Chairman], he's been following our regulations... NAC 467, the ones that were effective on September 9 2016, and we are following them to the letter of the law, so all of the unarmed combatants know that if they test positive for performance enhancing drugs that they are treated fairly and without any prejudice or bias," Bennett declared.

The multi-million dollar revenue is at stake with the result of the upcoming hearing. The Canelo-Golovkin rematch is considered by many as the biggest fight in American in the first half of this year.

But these factors cannot influence the final ruling, says Bennett. The five-member NSAC will decide on Canelo's case by majority vote.

"I think that we've always taken a stand, sometimes correctly and sometimes incorrectly when it came to the sentencing and fines with marijuana - but by and large with this clenbuterol we are just being consistent with other unarmed combatants who have tested positive for PEDs, regardless of the amount of money involved or the economic impact, we are not going to be swayed by that, we are going to stick to what our regulations state and that's what the fighters can expect from us," Bennett said.

Golovkin's camp has argued Canelo's viewpoint on the complaint because several athletes and boxers have been tested positive for clenbuterol lately. Golovkin verbally assailed Canelo in front of reporters that the Mexican boxing icon has been using performance enhancing drugs (PED). The Kazakh champ alleged that he had photographs and videos showing injections of banned substances.

At first several fans had expected the rematch to continue without any obstacles, but now the fight is in serious jeopardy after the MGM Resorts International, which owns the T-Mobile Arena, began to offer full refunds of the tickets to the event.

Clenbuterol is a PED usually used by asthmatics and has fat dissolving reactions. Athletes were reported to resort to it to assist in reducing body fat and weight quickly. Among those who have tested positive for clenbuterol are four-division world champion Erik Morales, cyclist Alberto Contador and baseball players Raul Mondesi and Guillermo Mota.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.