Weekend Review: Canelo's Suspension, Golovkin Sounds Off

By Michael Rosenthal

MOST INTRIGUING

Canelo suspended: I’m guessing members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission broke into a cold sweat when they heard Canelo Alvarez tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol a few weeks ago, the question being:

“What the hell do we do with this?”

The NSAC temporarily suspended Alvarez on Friday and has required him to appear before the commission on April 10 as part of an investigation to determine whether a full suspension is warranted, leaving his May 5 rematch with Gennady Golovkin in jeopardy.

The commission is in a difficult position. If they extend Canelo’s suspension because of the doping violation, which the fighter blames on tainted meat, the mega-fight windfall Las Vegas stands to enjoy will be lost. If they slap Alvarez on the wrist, they’ll be perceived by some as shirking their duty.

Neither scenario is ideal. Hence the dilemma.

I’m pretty sure I know what’s going to happen: The commissioners won’t scuttle the fight. They would do so if Alvarez’s offense was egregious enough but, assuming multiple reports are accurate, the traces of clenbuterol in his system were consistent with tainted meat.

Plus, Alvarez should benefit from precedent. Most recently, in 2016, Francisco Vargas was allowed to fight Orlando Salido in California after a similar violation.

Thus, I would be stunned if something emerges from the hearing that spoils one of the biggest possible events in the sport, one that Alvarez, Golovkin and all boxing fans want to take place in spite of Alvarez’s misstep.

That said, I applaud the NSAC for temporarily suspending Alvarez and scheduling the hearing. It is now clear that even the biggest names in the sport cannot claim ignorance after failed tests with complete impunity; they at least must explain themselves and in all likelihood lose a portion of their purses.

As I’ve written, boxing regulators must begin to draw a thick red line after this latest tainted-meat episode. My mantra: Fighters are responsible for everything that goes into their bodies; no excuses.

I hope the NSAC’s temporary suspension of Alvarez is the first major step in that direction. Fighters need to know that they are on notice.

RABBIT PUNCHES

I thought Golovkin’s rant against Alvarez early last week – labeling Alvarez a long-term drug cheat, calling commissioners “terrorists” – was over the top but he has every right to be livid after his rival’s failed drug test. Fighters risk their lives every time they step into the ring. They have a right to know that their opponents have no competitive advantage when they’re exchanging punches, whether they gain it intentionally or inadvertently. The fact Alvarez consumed a banned substance is a way of saying, “I don’t give a damn about a fellow fighter’s well being.” Triple-G doesn’t deserve that. No fighter does. … If Alvarez wasn’t the villain for the rematch, he is after his failed drug test. A lot of people believe he knew exactly what he was doing when he consumed the tainted meat, meaning they believe he’s a cheater. And people don’t like cheaters. … Dillian Whyte (23-1, 17 knockouts) scored a spectacular knockout on Saturday in the U.K., pummeling Lucas Browne (25-1, 22 KOs) from post and post then knocking him out cold with a left hook in the sixth round. Whyte looked sharp and explosive, which solidified his position as a legitimate title contender. I think a Whyte-Wilder matchup would be more interesting than most. I can’t get too excited about Whyte’s victory on Saturday, though. Browne is a big, strong guy but his skills are crude and he's pushing 39. He’s no test for a top heavyweight. I like a dramatic heavyweight knockout as much as anyone – and that was dramatic – but I didn’t feel good about the division afterward.