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Canelo reiterates his innocence – “I respect the sport and I will always be a clean fighter.”

Written by Keeran Rajan on 4th April 2018.

So it finally became official yesterday that the heavily anticipated fight of the year, Canelo – Golovkin II fell through.

Upsetting fans all over the world who were expecting a conclusive end to the most intriguing rivalry in the world of boxing.

It was revealed that the Mexican 2-weight world champion tested positive for the substance clenbuterol.

These results came from tests taken on February 17th and February 20th.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission made the move to temporarily suspend ‘Canelo’ once the reveal of that failed test became public.

Canelo will have to attend a committee hearing on April 18th. Where it looks increasingly likely the Mexican stylist will have to endure a ban of up to a year from the sport.

Canelo however, has taken the opportunity to voice his thoughts following the fallout of his decision to withdraw from his May 5th rematch with Golovkin.

“Truly shocked by what has happened and I lament that this has led people to have doubts and suspicions about my athletic integrity,” Alvarez said, according to a translator.

“I have always been a clean fighter and I always will be a clean fighter.”

“I want to apologize for all of the inconvenience that this has caused to HBO, MGM, Tecate, Hennessy, all my other sponsors.

“The media and to everyone that is involved in the promotion of this event – and especially to the fans.”

“To them I want to say, I have not let you down.”

“I respect the sport and I will always be a clean fighter,” Canelo said.

“Now I’d like to clarify the situation. I have always done tests before my fights with VADA.”

They are voluntary and despite [those] being voluntary, I have always agreed to do them for every single one of my fights.

“I have asked that they do these tests, and they’ve always come back negative. I am a clean fighter.”

“On this occasion, the results showed small traces of clenbuterol in my system. I know many of you are asking yourselves how this has happened if I didn’t intentionally take clenbuterol.”

Furthermore, Alvarez is sticking to his guns that the reason for the failed test was indeed down to consuming contaminated meat.

“Unfortunately, there is a public problem in my country, Mexico.”

“Over the last few years, many athletes from many sports – cycling, football, soccer and boxing – have tested positive for clenbuterol after eating meat in Mexico.”

“This substance can be transmitted to humans through (the) meat in Mexico. Contaminated meat is what caused this test [result].”

“Since the positive tests, I have submitted to various additional tests with the same laboratory and those results have all come back negative,” Alvarez said.

“To be clear, I am a clean fighter.”

“However, I respect the Nevada State Athletic Commission and I understand that under its laws and its regulations there are certain penalties and certain sanctions, even for unintentional positive results and even for consuming meat.”

“The reality is that, unfortunately, as a result of this the rematch will have to wait a little longer.”

“Disappointed and upset because I will not be able to participate in the rematch against Golovkin.”

“I was very much looking forward to this fight.

“I had been training and I wanted to get in the ring.”

“Prove, once and for all, that I am the best middleweight in the world.”

“That I can’t make this fight happen at this point. I am sad and I feel powerless;” Canelo concluded.

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