By Osman Rodriguez

Alex Ariza, the former strength and conditioning coach of Amir Khan, appeared on WLIE radio in New York and discussed the ongoing situation with WBA/IBF champion Lamont Peterson. Last Monday it was disclosed that Peterson failed a random drug test issued by VADA [Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency]. By Wednesday, the May 19th rematch between Peterson and Khan had been canceled because the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to license Peterson for his failure to disclose the use of synthetic testosterone.

Peterson revealed that he was given the testosterone pellets back in November, before the December fight with Khan. Because he failed to disclose his use, Khan’s promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, is attempting to have their fighter’s split decision loss overturned to a no-contest. If the Washington commission approves their request, then the WBA and IBF will likely strip Peterson and return the titles to Khan.

Ariza is not entirely sure if the pellets actually gave Peterson an edge in the first fight, but he recognizes the boxer’s failure to disclose his use is the real problem at hand. Peterson’s attorney disclosed the use of testosterone pellets after his client’s sample tested positive for the second time.

“I can only speak about the situation as I heard it. From my understanding, Peterson has a testosterone deficiency, which is very, very common among men. My understanding is the numbers were somewhere around that of an 80-year-old man. Doctors sometimes like to prescribe these slow releasing pellets that release small amounts of testosterone into the system and try to get their levels up. It’s very, very rare that you can get up to an optimum level with pellets instead of injections. Unfortunately he didn’t disclose it, which is kind of like spilled milk now and it’s hard to go back and change it,” Ariza said.

Tags: Alex Ariza , Lamont Peterson