by David P. Greisman

Andre Berto’s positive test for traces of nandrolone “has absolutely nothing to do with me or any supplements I provided,” said sports nutritionist Victor Conte, who is working with Berto, on Twitter on Friday afternoon, shortly after the news broke, which was first reported by Scott Shaffer of BoxingTalk.com

“Likely trace contamination,” Conte wrote, saying the nandrolone could come from supplements or sometimes from foods.

“Andre has admitted to taking supplements other than what I provided without my knowledge,” Conte wrote. “Apparently, something was contaminated.”

“Nandrolone is the longest lasting steroid known to man,” he wrote. “No athlete would ever use it with intent to cheat. Nandrolone is the ‘kiss of death’ steroid. Stays in body from minimum of 6 months up to 18 months. No athlete uses it to cheat.”

Berto is preparing for a welterweight rematch with Victor Ortiz on June 23rd at Staples Center in Los Angeles California. Both fighters had agreed to take part in a random drug testing protocol, which was handled by VADA [Voluntary Anti-Drug Association].

David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter at twitter.com/fightingwords2 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fightingwordsboxing, or send questions and comments to fightingwords1@gmail.com