He signed up for the testing for this fight under strict liability and failed the test therefore he should not be allowed to fight on this occasion. Whether or not he cheated (ie intentionally used the drug in question) is a different matter, as is whether or not he should be banned. The position of the WBO appears to be that they can strip fighters for failing to comply with local regulations.
Also this helps to explain their position:
It generally seems as if they're not in the business of banning boxers, but more in helping uphold the rules of local governing bodies, which again raises the issue of the difference between VADA testing (the WBC, WBA and individual fight contracts by agreement) and WADA (everyone else).
If a World Champion fails to comply with his contractual obligation to fight in a WBO World Championship bout without justifiable cause, or is determined by a Host Commission, a licensing commission, or otherwise has tested positive for an illegal or any performance enhancing drug, or fails to inform the WBO of any medical condition, impairment or any other circumstance which jeopardizes his participation in a WBO World Championship contest, or if a Champion or any of his team members misleads, attempts to mislead, or petitions a Local Boxing Commission to illegally or incorrectly license said Champion, the Committee may recommend to the WBO President and to the Executive Committee that the fighter be stripped of the title and that the title be declared vacant.
It generally seems as if they're not in the business of banning boxers, but more in helping uphold the rules of local governing bodies, which again raises the issue of the difference between VADA testing (the WBC, WBA and individual fight contracts by agreement) and WADA (everyone else).
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