Haymon/NBC Fighters Will Have USADA/Medical Tests

By Jake Donovan

 

Details of Al Haymon’s newly launched boxing series on NBC have finally been revealed during an invite-only press conference held Wednesday morning at the network’s headquarters in New York City.

 

The series – titled “Premiere Boxing Champions” – will kick off March 7 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card, unbeaten welterweight knockout artist Keith Thurman will face former three-division champion Robert Guerrero. In the co-feature, Adrien Broner – also a former titlist in three weight classes – will face John Molina Jr.

 

All four boxers, along with all other fighters who will be featured in the series, will be required to undergo year-round random drug testing. The stipulation was one of the few tidbits offered during Wednesday’s press conference.

 

“Today's fans deserve a wider audience and broader exposure. With the support of United States Anti-Doping Agency, each boxer participating in the PBC series will be subject to random, Olympic-style drug testing,” revealed Lamont Jones, Vice President of Operations for Haymon Boxing, also adding that all fighters will be subjected to extensive medical exams conducted through the Cleveland Clinic.

 

Such testing standards are key to the series’ intentions, which are to bring boxing back to the mainstream while at the same time ensuring fighter safety in and especially outside the ring.

 

“Many years ago I met Senator John McCain. We talked the entire time on the way to Washington D.C.,” noted boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, who will be involved in the series. “Mr. McCain could not be in attendance but wanted me to say on his behalf, that boxing fans should respect the efforts that are bestowed upon us today.

 

“It has always been important to (Senator McCain) that boxing protects the integrity of the sport.”

 

The first show will air live on NBC’s flagship station, one of five to air on the network this year in prime time. Six more cards will air on NBC during Saturday afternoons throughout 2015, with nine more shows this year to air Saturday evenings on NBC Sports Network.