Random Drug Testing Rising in Boxing
By James Lopez, RCM LA Boxing Correspondent
Los, Angeles, CA (August 1st, 2014)– The boxing culture has changed throughout the years regarding random drug testing. USADA and VADA have been more involved in high profile fights. The reason being is plenty of fighters, promoters, and fans are striving to make boxing a cleaner sport. When a fighter does not participate in random drug testing it can possibly effect their reputation. When a fighter’s reputation is damaged they can lose fans, sponsors, and revenue. The best way to ensure the public they are indeed a clean fighter when their success is being questioned, is to take random drug testing by an established organization the same way Shawn Porter is doing right now. Shawn Porter will be undergoing USADA testing for his upcoming bout with Kell Brook, after Malignaggi had questioned his recent success.
The Scenario
Recently Paulie Malignaggi has admitted he is befuddled by Shawn Porter’s power in his past two fights. He has been surprised how Porter’s punches were consistently able to hurt him which lead to a TKO loss within four rounds, and the way he was able to repeatedly stagger Devon Alexander in their bout. The reason why Malignaggi questions Porter’s power, is due to the fact Porter hadn’t stopped anyone two years prior to these bouts when facing lesser opposition. The Porter camp did not appreciate Malignaggi’s comments.
A recent video uploaded by Leave It In the Ring, recorded Shawn Porter and his father Kenny Porter meeting with Paulie Malignaggi at a local boxing show in San Francisco, to discuss his remarks on the lack of random drug testing going on. During the discussion Kenny Porter explained how they themselves have requested random drug testing for their past fights, but still were not able to get it.
Days later Shawn Porter and Kenny Porter both decided to do a radio interview with Leave It In the Ring. During the interview Kenny Porter made it clear USADA is doing random drug testing for this upcoming bout. He also mentioned how the remarks that have been made toward his son have taken away revenue from them. He mentioned a sponsor from the UK had recently called him asking if Shawn Porter has anything to hide, Kenny Porter told them absolutely not. The sponsor told them they are looking to negotiate with Shawn Porter but don’t want to take any risks so they will wait after the Kell Brook bout to make a decision.
What’s interesting about this situation is the fact Shawn Porter technically has not done anything wrong. He’s the one who has asked for random drug testing, but is still being punished for it not being implemented in his recent fights.
This fiasco proves the boxing culture is progressing in having athletes participate in random drug testing. If they do not participate they might go under a certain degree of scrutiny. It was not too long ago where fighters were allowed to say they do not want to take random drug testing, and will only participate in this procedure 14 days prior to their bout, without having any consequence. Nowadays making such statements will be unfathomable. These same fighters who have made such statements in the past are ironically now participating in these same programs to prove they have nothing to hide. The reason being is the boxing culture is changing.
As USADA and VADA and other established random drug testing organizations become more involved in boxing fights, it reassures the public these fighters are clean. As this trend continues to rise, the integrity of this great sport rises along with it.
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