Comments Thread For: Andre Ward Addresses Drug Testing Controversy

[radioraheem]

Doesn't Memo snitches, I mean consults, for USADA? How is that any different from Conte's involvement with VADA?

No, Memo does not consult with USADA. Neither does Conte. USADA wants no associations with them because of their history. VADA on the other hand, doesn't mind. But that has a lot to do with Conte having a hand in the creation of VADA (in my opinion based on some stuff I read).

[Fetta]

They do the same thing only VADA on a smaller stage but im fine with Ward using either one for his next fight.

[radioraheem]

Good point, Berto was with Conte when he was busted and prevented from competing. If this was USADA they either destroy the samples, or tell the commission the B sample would come in too late to do anything about it

According to Conte, Berto wasn't working with him when he tested positive for traces of something. That might be true, it may not be. But that's what Conte says.

The evidence about destroying samples is hearsay. But it could be true. USADA only took one sample though and stopped testing. It's not like they took many samples an entire training camp and then stopped.

Neither VADA nor USADA is perfect. They've both made mistakes. Conte being rumored to be behind the creation of VADA is just that more disturbing. And it's also disturbing that Rodriguez made a comment that went under the radar -- he went on record saying that it's Conte that was sponsoring the VADA tests for Rodriguez and Ward (if Ward agreed). How could that even be possible if he's not affiliated or has some type of power with VADA?

[Mikhnienko]

When Abraham and Froch wanted testing it didn't happen then either this isn't the first time. WADA testing was included in the contracts for all the Super 6 fighters but when Ward fought Abraham he didn't get tested because it isn't a mandatory requirement in California so his home commission protected him.

[MDPopescu]

It's not nice that people ask big Ward to accept whatever testing...
Big Ward didn't need, doesn't need, will not need to be tested. Ever. He's too big for that. And he said already that he would get tested. Isn't it enough?

[HeroBando]

According to Conte, Berto wasn't working with him when he tested positive for traces of something. That might be true, it may not be. But that's what Conte says.

The evidence about destroying samples is hearsay. But it could be true. USADA only took one sample though and stopped testing. It's not like they took many samples an entire training camp and then stopped.

Neither VADA nor USADA is perfect. They've both made mistakes. Conte being rumored to be behind the creation of VADA is just that more disturbing. And it's also disturbing that Rodriguez made a comment that went under the radar -- he went on record saying that it's Conte that was sponsoring the VADA tests for Rodriguez and Ward (if Ward agreed). How could that even be possible if he's not affiliated or has some type of power with VADA?

Good point about Conte sponsoring the ERod Ward testing, there might be something there.

Though you're wrong about Berto, Conte never denied they worked together at the time, only that it wasn't his supplements that did it. So VADA has shown the willingness to bust Conte clients:

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id...ortiz-canceled

Berto has had Victor Conte, founder of the notorious Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, in his training camp for this fight.

Conte, however, denied he had any involvement in the positive test.

"Andre Berto's positive test for (norandrosterone) has absolutely nothing to do with me or any supplements I provided. Likely trace contamination," Conte tweeted. "Andre has admitted to taking supplements other than what I provided without my knowledge. Apparently, something was contaminated."

[US Dirk Killer]

When Abraham and Froch wanted testing it didn't happen then either this isn't the first time. WADA testing was included in the contracts for all the Super 6 fighters but when Ward fought Abraham he didn't get tested because it isn't a mandatory requirement in California so his home commission protected him.

Seems legit man

[mathed]

Ward's hiding something for sure. He claims he wanted it for the Dawson fight but investigated the prospect too late to implement it. You would think that he would have sat down with Dr. Goodman a long time ago after the Dawson fight if he was really that interested in participating in future fights, especially given the fact that he would be out of the ring for a while.

He decides not to look into it again and doesn't take testing of ANY kind, much less VADA. Yet again, after this fight, he says that he was interested in the testing but waited too long to pursue it. It's clear he wants nothing to do with the testing in any form and I find it amusing he is mentioning Conte in this as he has worked with Conte in the past as well. If Conte working with Rodriguez was a conflict of interest, so would Ward and Conte which I assume automatically makes it impossible for Ward to participate in VADA..........according to Ward's argument at least. Pretty convenient loophole, I guess his lawyers coached him on how to answer the question and evade the testing.

[Kris Silver]

Andre's still full of shit here he's digging.

He's been very vocal about drug testing, wanting to be at the forefront for years.

So you'd expect him to have been tested at some point, but pretty much nothing.

To say I wasn't asked to; or...I didn't have time to look into it (what within the years you've been proclaiming boxers should get tested) is complete and utter BS.

[Enzo Mc is SHIT]

It's about time the sanctioning bodies did something useful for a change and set down a standard. This ****** **** comes up in every major fight now and it does nobody any favours.