By Rick Reeno

Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum spoke in further detail, exclusively with BoxingScene.com, regarding the recent controversies to hit boxing, with two of the sport's well respected athletes involving themselves in random drug testing protocols - and then testing positive for banned substances.

In the last few weeks, two highly anticipated rematches - Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson and Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz -  were canceled when Peterson and Berto tested positive for banned substances. VADA [Voluntary Anti-Drug Administration] administered the random drug tests for both events.

Berto tested positive for ultra-traces of nandrolone, Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone which he claims was due to a testosterone pellet he was injected with by Dr. John A. Thompson of the Desert Oasis Clinic in Las Vegas.

Arum feels a contingency plan should have been in place to deal with the possibility of a boxer testing positive. If companies like VADA and/or USADA are used, there should be a contingency plan between the promoter, the drug testing organization and the local commission, says Arum. 

"You are dealing with athletes who have a limited life. It's not like you're dealing with people who can be productive until they are 80 or 85 and have a long career. Athletes have a limited number of years to practice their trade," Arum told BoxingScene.com.

Peterson has alleged that his doctor misinformed him with respect to the testosterone procedure. While Peterson failed a random drug which he took in March, he passed the following tests which were given in April. In Berto's case, the trace of nandrolone was so minor that it heavily points to Berto taking a contaminated supplement, and not in the direction of intentional use of a performance enhancing substance. Arum feels the rematches should have been allowed to go forward, and then the issues should have been dealt with in the aftermath.

"The way I was brought up, you protect first the individual. In Lamont's case, first he could have got a therapeutic use exemption from the Washington commission in two seconds [for the first Khan fight]. [Peterson's manager] Barry Hunter had never heard of that, so he didn't do it. Technical problems. But at the time he was tested [in April], there was no advantage at all with fighting Amir Khan [in the rematch]. They should have let that fight go on and then explore the issues in a logical way afterwards," Arum said.

"And certainly in Berto s case, where there is a trace amount of a steroid that is no longer used by anybody...a trace amount and there is no evidence that it would enhance his performance - you let the fight go on and then bring back everybody and discuss what happened, etc. But you don't f*** with the lives of the athletes."

"I think in boxing, everything exists for a good, fair fight to happen. And that should be the primary determination and everything should blow from that. Again, there is no proof or evidence that when Peterson had tested positive for something that he had taken months before, [that it would have enhanced his performance in the rematch]. And the statement he made, the doctor told him it wasn't steroids, it wasn't testosterone.......something where he could have gotten a therapeutic use exemption, certainly more reason to give him that than the mixed martial arts guy [the Nevada State Athletic Commssion] just gave a therapeutic use exemption, who shoots up twice a week."

"What should have been done, they should have let the fights go on and then bring them in and explore the whole situation. Berto at worst, at worst, in making the mistake...apparently of going and buying vitamins which were not up to standard should get a slap on the wrist and then a fine. If those are the facts. Lamont Peterson, at worst, should get a fine. But they should have been allowed to fight."