Boxing: Canelo Alvarez temporarily suspended by NSAC

Earlier today the Nevada State Athletic Commission held a meeting with both the teams of Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin in regards to the former’s failed a drug test for Clenbuterol. There wasn’t a decision expected on the matter today as no official hearing has been set. According to LA Times, NSAC said that they had been investigating the clenbuterol issues since early March, and have decided that they want Alvarez to face the commission on April 10th for a disciplinary hearing.

“Mr. Alvarez is temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission per the executive director for his adverse analytical findings, that being Clenbuterol, on February 17 and 20,” a statement by commission executive director Bob Bennett said.

“A commission hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2018 to hear from Mr. Alvarez or for Mr. Alvarez to attend.”

What they decide at that meeting will dictate whether Canelo’s rematch with Gennady Golovkin goes down on May 5th as scheduled.

“We respect the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s process and will vigorously present Canelo’s case throughout, Over his career, Canelo has tested clean more than 90 times and would never intentionally take a banned substance.” Golden Boy said in a statement issued by Stefan Friedman.

Golden Boy had already acknowledged the fighter tested positive for banned Clenbuterol, blaming the result on tainted meat in Mexico, where the drug is sometimes used to fatten cattle.

Clenbuterol has been the subject of a WADA alert for years, and many Mexican athletes have been found to have trace amounts of the drug in their system from eating tainted meat. It is also an issue in China. Most fighters have been given a pass on it by USADA, who tests UFC fighters, but VADA is handling the testing for this fight and the Nevada commission has suspended fighters before for a positive clenbuterol test.