IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith has been confirmed to be still on for this Saturday, January 13th, with Beterbiev’s tests with VADA coming up negative. after his December 6th, blood & urine sample showed atypical results.
Atypical Findings, Not Positive Tests
Beterbiev’s December 6th test was atypical for “Human growth hormone (HGH) and 5D-androstanediol, both naturally occurring substances.”
In response to those positive tests, additional tests were required for Beterbiev on December 15 and 21 and January 3rd, with all coming in negative.
Follow-up Tests Clear the Air
Kevin Iole reports that Beterbiev passed his follow-up test with VADA and has been cleared for Saturday’s Beterbiev-Smith contest at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada. As a result, Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) and Smith are good to go for their ESPN bout.
According to Iole, Beterbiev’s tests on December 15 and 21 showed negative results for urine, and December 21 and January 3 showed negative results for blood.
Hearn’s Call for Transparency
Callum Smith’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, was glad that he was informed about the Beterbiev’s atypical findings.
“I’m just glad this information has gotten out there because this information was made aware to us in the middle of December. It’s difficult because it’s not our show, it’s not our testing, it’s not our fighter,” said Eddie Hearn to Boxing News about Artur Beterbiev’s atypical findings.
“Let’s make it clear. It’s not an adverse finding, but there are raised levels of HGH and testosterone in the test that we want to know more about, and in the end, the pressure was on the release of that information yesterday. It’s fight week, but I feel there needs to be more transparency.
“It’s not on us to release that information. We’re not scientists, but we also read that information, and, of course, it raises concerns for us. But at the same time, contractually, it’s not an adverse finding. I’d rather it be one or the other. It’s a test that’s absolutely fine, or it’s an adverse finding.
“When you read the results of a test that has levels above the testing limit, we want to know more, and that information hasn’t been as forthcoming as we’d like from VADA because we’d like to understand more. Around their rules, there should be additional testing around this result,” said Hearn.
