By Gav Duthie: In any article available on this sight about a current top boxer 1 in 3 comments on average usually contain reference to drug taking. “He’s on PED’s”, “That guy is 100% juiced” etc. It’s not really my place to make speculation as to who is or isn’t on drugs in the sport but with the amount of accusations on certain performers it is long overdue that drug testing is more highly scrutinized.
It is getting to the stage where every great performance is tainted with fans wandering if they are on performance enhancing drugs (PED’s).
Individual accountability
In the UK we have a saying “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, translating to if too many people are involved in a situation they will make a mess of it. This is the problem with boxing today. With 4 main governing bodies WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO plus countless other federations, different promoters, managers, agents, television networks and licensing commissions it is a wonder that we ever get fights at all.
For the same reasons drug testing in boxing is archaic in comparison to other sports. Undoubtedly everyone is familiar with the Lance Armstrong situation where he has lost all his Tour De France gersey’s due to past discretions. Olympians lose their medals and face lengthy bans if found guilty. FEAR is now being struck into the athletes and the risk is now greater than the reward.
(WADA) – World Anti-Doping Agency
In boxing there are too many people involved in the process of pre and post-fight drug testing. At present the type of testing for a protracted fight are determined by the promoters, the fighters, the contracts and to some extent the Athletic Commission. As a result the type of drug testing is different from fight to fight. There should be one standardized procedure in this day and age and this should be provided by WADA.
Currently in America there is no government control for drug testing in the sport. Boxing considers itself a private entity hence does not fall under the jurisdiction of WADA. WADA’s testing methods for the likes of cyclists and Olympic athletes usually involve using blood samples. We all know about the Mayweather-Pacquiao controversy where there were issues regarding the request for Olympic style blood testing. It shouldn’t be up to the fighters it should be insisted upon.
Athletic Commissions
The mecca of boxing events in America is Las Vegas which is ran by the Nevada State Athletic commission. At present the commission does not require blood testing for banned substances or illegal drugs. It doesn’t even test for blood diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. For a sport that regularly involves cuts this is nothing short of a disgrace. The problem again is that Nevada nor should any other state be able to govern themselves.
The problem
Being that Nevada is the main boxing state perhaps they should introduce these measures and others might follow suit? No chance, if they were to demand these tests boxers would just fight elsewhere. They would go to Atlantic City, New York, The Philippines, China or wherever. This is why boxing needs an overall blanket governing body. Nobody will stick their neck out to make a decision as promoters can go elsewhere. Look at a couple of years ago when the British Boxing Board of control banned Dereck Chisora (not drug related) so he acquired a license in Luxembourg and still fought in the UK. Basically unless regulations change so that WADA can take control we will get nowhere.
Risk v Reward
These days’ drugs are much easier to detect in the body but boxing isn’t using the latest technology. If a boxer weighs the pros of a successful career and future revenue streams against the likelihood of getting caught then they are more likely to take PED’s as they will feel the reward is greater than the risk. This was also the case in cycling in the past but now a cyclist will think
1. I will get caught
2. I will get banned
3. It’s not the worth it
Unfortunately in boxing at the moment it is worth it.
Types of PED’s
It is intimated that boxers are taking drugs to make weight whilst maintaining strength. These days the repercussions for not making weight are losing your title and fines. With recent rehydration limits also introduced this makes the temptation even greater to make the contracted weight limit.
Boxers are alleged to be taking Human growth hormones (HGH) and Tetrhydrogestrinone (THG) which assist them in moving up and down the weight divisions. Nandralone is also taken to improve performance. Nandralone is already produced by the body but at increased levels it can add body mass as well as aid in recovery speed after training. There are many others which are alleged on top of these also.
The Future
At the moment despite grumblings from the fans I don’t see any immediate clamor for change. The problem is that everyone in the sport looks after number 1 and rarely is anyone accountable. Promoters just want to make money, boxers just want to fight and make money, commissions want the big fights in their states and the governing bodies want sanctioning fees. Unless there is a dramatic change in the way the sport is ran this is likely to continue to get worse and a result the outcome of the big fights will always be in question.
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