By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
The much-anticipated May 5 rematch between unbeaten WBA-WBC-IBF-IBO middleweight champion Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin and Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is now officially off after Alvarez’s two failed drug tests in February forced the Mexican to withdraw from the bout.
Alvarez tested positive twice for the banned performance-enhancing substance clenbuterol in two random tests on February 17 and 20 administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association in his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Clenbuterol was found in his two urine samples from Alvarez. The said substance is widely used in cattle in Mexico since it promotes lean muscle mass and helps reduce fat.
“We’re going to have to cancel the May 5 rematch… As you all know there is a hearing on April 18 and it’s extremely unlikely this will get properly resolved by then and we need enough time to promote this fight,” Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez announced in a press conference.
Facing an extension of a temporary suspension slapped by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Alvarez blamed the failed tests to food contamination and has denied ever cheating and using performance-enhancing drugs.
Alvarez and Golovkin were supposed to battle again on the highly-anticipated rematch on Cinco de Mayo weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The first bout ended in a highly controversial draw. However, most pundits and experts believe Golovkin won the fight by a thin margin. One of the judges, Adalaide Byrd, was suspended by the NSAC after an extremely questionable 118-110 scorecard in favor of Alvarez.
