By Rey Danseco
The Nevada Athletic Commission is scheduled to formally announce WBC light flyweight champion Omar Nino Romero’s temporary suspension next week.
But despite of Nevada’s verdict, the Mexico-based WBC will not immediately make a decision whether Romero will be stripped of his title and give the belt to Brian Viloria or Viloria will vie for the vacant crown against a designated opponent.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman told this writer in a e-mail that they are doing their own investigation on the case after the Nevada Commission tested Romero positive for traces of methamphetamine after retaining the title this month against Viloria.
“After we investigate we will immediately give our report,” said Sulaiman from Mexico.
The long-time head of the WBC felt there might something wrong in the antidoping test.
“We know if the anti doping test was done in strict accordance to the WBC rules and regulations which are just about the same as the IOC (International Olympic Committee), FIFA (International Football Federation), and other world sports organizations,” said Sulaiman.
Sulaiman confirmed that he hasn’t received anything from Nevada Commission regarding the matter. And he felt as the president of the organization, he should be given importance to know the facts.
“The Nevada Commission has not sent any report of antidoping drugs to the WBC,” said Sulaiman.
Nevada Commission executive director Keith Kizer told the media Thursday (Friday in Manila) that Romero’s suspension will be announced at their Tuesday meeting. However, the Mexican champion has given 20 days to air his side in a hearing.
Under commission rules, Romero could face a possible suspension, have his boxing license revoked, be fined and have the commission rule that his latest bout was a no-decision.
The 30-year-old Mexican fighter controversially retained the WBC title on November 18 with a majority draw over former titleholder Brian Viloria, even though the Philippine pride knocked down the taller defending champion in rounds five and nine, in the Las Vegas bout. Romero captured the belt with with a convincing unanimous decision over Viloria in August, also in Las Vegas.
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) boxing division chief Dr. Naseer Cruz in Manila elaborated Sulaiman’s statement of “investigation” might be limited to finding if the normal anti-doping test procedure was conducted in accordance to WBC rules.
He said, in a sealed container, their must be two urine samples of the boxers after the fight.
“The first container (bottle A) will be subject for examination for any drugs.In any controversy in ‘positivity’ or negativity, container (bottle B) will be used to confirm the first test,” said Cruz, member of the WBC Medical Commission.
And based on WBC rules,”If bottle 'B' or '2' is found positive, confirming the first test, the WBC shall proceed immediately to schedule a hearing, inform the boxer of same and appoint a WBC investigating committee, whose report shall be presented to the WBC Board of Governors for a determination of appropriate sanctions.”
Meanwhile, whatever the decision of the WBC and Nevada, No. 6 contender Juanito Rubillar wants the shot in 108-lb title.
If Romero remains the champion, Rubillar’s manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr has standing offer that coursed to Sulaiman $60,000 purse. If for the vacant title, Elorde informed Sulaiman that he will put $20,000 purse.
Elorde wants the fight to takes place in Manila on February 24, 2007.
Rubillar was the mandated challenger for the title this year until Viloria’s camp, headed by his manager Gary Gittelsohn informed the WBC about the lingering effect on Viloria’s right-hand injury.
There were many reports that Rubillar was robbed of his right to the mandatory title shot and according to BoxingScene report by Philippine reporter Ronnie Nathanielz on July 19, 2006 was “due to the astute maneuverings of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn.
“Arum and Gittelsohn avoided Rubillar by claiming that they didn’t know when Viloria’s hand injury, suffered during his first tittle defense against former champion Jose Antonio Aguirre would heal, forcing WBC president Jose Sulaiman to have Rubillar fight no. 2 contender Wandee Singwangcha for the interim title,” the report added.
After the Rubillar-Wandee fight contract was signed, Arum announced that Viloria would defend his title against Mexico’s Omar Nino Romero and his hand was back to its normal great condition.
As a reaction to Manila Times and BoxingScene reports on the matter, Gittelsohn insisted Wednesday that he was not responsible for what happened to Rubillar. Gittelsohn, who of course negotiates and manages Viloria’s career, never denied or claimed that Arum should be blamed.
