By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The opponent of newly crowned WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietas tested positive for the use of a banned substance which was initially said to be Amonia which is commonly known as "smelling salts." It is sniffed as a restorative or stimulant and is normally used to help revive individuals who feel faint.
The use of "smelling salts" which was contained in a bottle that was confiscated from the Thai’s corner explained Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym’s ability to recover from a bad beating and come on strong in his twelve round fight at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, Sunday night.
Games and Amusements Board boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz appeared reluctant to discuss the issue telling Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that since it was a WBO title fight "the official statement should come from Asia-Pacific vice president Leon Panoncillo."
However, GAB Cebu physician Dr.Jose Unabia said in a long distance telephone conversation that the initial screening showed traces of the banned substance Ephedrine which is commonly used as a stimulant. However, Dr. Unabia said the findings were not confirmed and the small urine sample taken after the fight had been discarded while the bottle of Amonia turned over to Panoncillo.
Dr. Unabia said it seemed that since Nietes won the title fight there was no interest in pursuing the case against the Thai boxer stating "we have to correct that mentality and this should serve as a very good lesson.
