By John F. McKenna (McJack): Coming on the heels of last weeks top story in boxing that IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s) had failed two drug tests, the still developing story that former WBC welterweight title holder Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s) has also failed two drug tests is bound to set boxing back on it’s heels.

ESPN reported that knowledgeable sources are claiming Berto tested positive for the steroid norandrosterone. Berto had been scheduled to fight former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 23 KO’s) on June 23, but that is apparently out the window with Ortiz promoter Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer reporting that the match has been cancelled.

This marks the 2nd week in a row that one of Schaefer’s Golden Boy’s promotions fights has had to be cancelled. Last week Lamont Peterson’s rematch with former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) was cancelled after it was revealed that Peterson had flunked two drug tests. The performance enhancing drug testosterone was found in Peterson’s system in two separate drug tests.

Although Peterson claimed that he was taking the testosterone for a medical condition he has a major problem in that he did not report that he was taking the drug as required. Another major headache for Lamont is that he now acknowledges that he took the banned substance prior to his fight with Khan last December.

As expected Berto, like Peterson insists he did nothing wrong. Ironically Berto accused Ortiz of taking performance enhancing drugs (PEDS) a year ago after he was upset by him.

Unlike last week when he was notified too late to find a substitute to face Amir Khan, Schaefer has time to find a replacement fighter to face Ortiz. Schaefer stated that he was appreciative that Berto adviser Al Haymon kept him informed as to what was going on, giving him time to find another suitable opponent for Ortiz.

This latest story is still developing and more details are bound to emerge. And even thought both Peterson and Berto may have what to them seems to be perfectly logical explanations as to why they wound up failing drug tests, the bottom line is that boxing is bigger than any one individual.

The fact that the Berto story broke right on the heels of the Lamont Peterson scandal should be a wake up call to the powers that be, that boxing fans are becoming bored with the same old, same old. The question now being asked is how can boxing fans take the sport seriously when two of its major fighters flunk drug tests in two successive weeks?

Cynicism runs deep that the majority of the offenders are not being detected.