by Rick Reeno & David P. Greisman

BoxingScene.com has been advised that junior welterweight Lamont Peterson tested positive for “testosterone pellets," according to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer, citing Peterson’s attorney Jeff Fried

Peterson is scheduled to defend his WBA/IBF titles against Amir Khan on May 19th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Both fighters agreed, per the contract terms for their rematch, to take part in a random drug testing protocol.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schafer, making a statement Tuesday on a conference call, said the testing had been done unannounced at the March 19 press conference in Los Angeles announcing the fight. The samples from Peterson and Khan were taken to a WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) drug testing lab in Los Angeles and split into “A” and “B” samples, Schaefer said.

The “A” results were reported back to the Volunteer Anti Doping Association, or VADA, on April 12.  Peterson’s team was told of the results on April 13 and told of his rights to have his “B” sample analyzed. That analysis was done on April 30, Schaefer said.

That test confirmed the results of the “A” sample analysis, Schaefer said — that the sample was consistent with administration of an anabolic steroid such as testosterone. Schaefer said follow-up samples were taken from Peterson on April 13. Those samples came back negative for banned substances on May 2, Schaefer said.

According to Kizer, the testosterone pellets were taken prior to Peterson’s first fight with Khan, which took place on December 10th in Washington, DC.  Apparently,  Peterson did not remember taking the pellets until his “B” sample came back positive.

“I was told by Jeff Fried that he took testosterone pellets, back just before the first Khan fight, but forgot to tell anybody about it.  When “A” sample came back positive for testosterone, he still didn’t remember it, it didn’t jog his memory.  When the “B” sample came back positive, his memory was jogged and then he said ‘oh yeah, that’s right.’ That’s the story I’ve been told yesterday. I haven’t gotten Jeff’s written statement yet,” Kizer told BoxingScene.com. 

There are medical reasons for taking testosterone pellets, but Kizer is waiting for Team Peterson to submit their written statement, which is going to present their side of the story and the explanation behind the administration of the pellets.

“I have to wait to see what Jeff sends to me, but I have no idea [why Peterson or anyone in general would take the pellets].  Testosterone pellets are a legitimate prescription drug, but what it’s used for and whether it’s legitimate in any case I couldn’t tell you."

At the moment, Peterson is not licensed to fight in the state of Nevada. Unless Peterson can provide a sufficient defense to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, he will not be licensed to fight Amir Khan.

“He is not licensed and he will not be licensed unless he can somehow convince the commission that there is some legitimate defense here. We’ll see. The burden is on him and he has not met it so far. He is not licensed and he will not be fighting unless that happens [provides legitimate defense],” Kizer said.

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