Oscar Valdez’s B-sample tests positive for phentermine

Image: Oscar Valdez's B-sample tests positive for phentermine
By Boxing News - 09/02/2021 - Comments

By Dan Ambrose: In disappointing news, Oscar Valdez’s B-sample has reportedly tested positive for the banned substance phentermine, which is the same result as his A-sample taken last month on August 13th. There will be a ruling soon on Valdez’s case, according to Mike Coppinger.

Unfortunately, the results of Valdez’s B-sample now puts his scheduled September 10th title defense of his WBC super featherweight belt against Robson Conceicao on shaky ground, making it likely that it’ll be canceled.

The unbeaten Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs), who Eddy Reynoso trains, was supposed to defend against the three-time Brazilian Olympian Conceicao (16-0, 8 KOs) in the main event on ESPN+ in a Top Rank Boxing promoted event at the Casino Del Sol, in Tucson, Arizona.

The explanation from Team Valdez for the positive test for phentermine for his A-sample was that he’d consumed herbal tea.

It’s unclear whether Valdez or any of his team produced the phentermine-containing herbal tea in time for the meaning this week with Top Rank, the Commission, and the WBC.

 

Image: Oscar Valdez's B-sample tests positive for phentermine

Assuming the worst, Valdez could be stripped of his WBC 130-lb title and given a suspension.

Naturally, his fight with Conceicao would be canceled, and it would be up to Top Rank if they want to slide the co-feature fight on the September 10th card into the main event slot to save the event.

Phentermine is considered a performance-enhancing drug, as it helps fighters lose weight while preserving their strength to train harder. Obviously, it would benefit a fighter to help make weight in the week or two before the fight.

Promoter Lou DiBella reportedly wants Valdez to be stripped of his WBC 130lb title and have #1 WBC Miguel ‘Alacran’ Berchelt and #2 O’Shaquie Foster fight for the vacant belt.

The winner of that fight would be the new WBC super featherweight champion. It would be up to the World Boxing Council to decide how far they want to drop Valdez in their rankings.

Even with a suspension and being stripped of his WBC 130-lb title, it’s reasonable to assume that Valdez could be back fighting for one of the world titles in his next fight back, but he would need to be a voluntary challenger.

Valdez won’t be able to step into a mandatory slot coming off a suspension, obviously.