World Boxing Council chiefs ruled on the Oscar Valdez situation following a positive drug test before a world title defense.
Valdez was flagged for Phentermine but cleared to fight by the Pascua Yaqui Athletic Commission on September 10th.
Amidst mass confusion about why Valdez will be allowed to participate, the WBC moved to clear up their dealings in the matter.
They also stated that Valdez would be on probation for twelve months. He’d also be subjected to regular testing.
“The WBC created its Clean Boxing Program in collaboration with VADA. The WBC-CBP is one of the best and most comprehensive anti-doping programs in sports,” said the WBC.
“The purposes of the WBC-CBP include, but are not limited, to the following: (1) safeguard the health and safety of boxers; (2) educate boxers, trainers, teams, and members of the boxing community; and (3) impose requirements and take equitable measures, just, and fair by examining every situation on its particular merits.
“The WBC-CBP administered by VADA List of Prohibited Substances includes hundreds of substances and metabolites. There are marked differences among the different categories of prohibited substances in terms of their effects, dangers, and contraindications. There are extreme differences from any given substance to others.
“Upon learning of Oscar Valdez’s adverse analytical finding, the WBC formed a panel. It included scientific and nutrition experts to investigate, analyze and evaluate all the available facts and evidence, and to recommend to the WBC how to proceed in this particular case.
“The WBC panel held an inquiry hearing with all the interested parties, including Champion Valdez and his team, and representatives of the overseeing commission and the promoter. Champion Valdez and his team have been 100% cooperative at all times during the process.
“The WBC panel also held internal meetings to analyze the information and materials it received, so the recommendation to the WBC could be well informed, educated, and fair.
“Among the factors the WBC panel considered are: (1) a urine sample collected from Champion Valdez on August 13, 2021, yielded an adverse analytical finding for Phentermine; (2) samples collected on July 22, 2021, and on August 30, 2021, tested negative.
“(3) Phentermine is an appetite suppressant prescription medication. It has no documented in-competition performance enhancing effect or advantages; (4) Champion Valdez has been a boxer for 19 years with a long and celebrated amateur career, including participating in two Olympic Games.
“(5) during his heralded trajectory as an amateur and professional boxer, Champion Valdez has tested negative in numerous anti-doping tests, including more than 30 as a professional; and (5) Champion Valdez has insisted in enrolling in the WBC-CBP and has demanded anti-doping testing in all his bouts.
“After conducting its own analysis of the situation, the Pascua Yaqui Athletic Commission, which is the local commission overseeing the Valdez v. Conceicao bout, has confirmed its commitment to allow the bout to take place in its jurisdiction as originally scheduled on September 10, 2021.
