By Ryan Burton
According to the Las Vegas Review Journal lightweight contender Ali Funeka tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide after his fight with Joan Guzman, which took place on March 27 and was televised by HBO. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic on the Nevada Athletic Commission's banned substance list. Fighters often use diuretics to increase their rate of urination, which assists them in losing weight, but the use of diuretics are prohibited by the Nevada commission.
The fight had trouble from the start as Guzman was very overweight on the day of the official weigh-in. He was 144-pounds, nine-pounds above the weight and nearly two weight divisions above the lightweight limit. An agreement was reached at the late hour to allow both fighters to hold a second weigh-in on the morning of the fight, with a stipulated clause that didn't allow Guzman to weigh more than 150-pounds.
Now, Funeka has tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that is on the Nevada Athletic Commission's banned substance list. Funeka faces a suspension and fine when the commission meets Friday.
Funeka made $140,000 for the fight and Guzman was fined 25% which came to around $31,000.
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