The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to extend Canelo Alvarez’s temporary suspension to six months at its monthly meeting in Las Vegas.
His one-year suspension was immediately reduced to six months during the meeting because Alvarez, who wasn’t in attendance, has cooperated fully with the NSAC’s investigation. Alvarez acknowledged that clenbuterol was in his system when he twice tested positive in February, but the former super welterweight and middleweight champion didn’t admit intent to use that banned substance.
Commission regulations called for Alvarez to be suspended for a period between nine and 24 months for what was his first performance-enhancing drug-related violation.
The suspension is retroactive to Alvarez’s first positive test for clenbuterol, February 17, which means it should end after August 17. That could allow Alvarez to reschedule his middleweight championship rematch Gennady Golovkin for September 15, assuming Alvarez continues to adhere to the NSAC’s testing policies for performance-enhancing drugs.
The NSAC also voted not to fine the Mexican superstar for twice failing tests for clenbuterol on February 17 and February 20. Those tests were administered in Mexico by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
Alvarez claims meat contamination, a common problem in Mexico, is responsible for clenbuterol turning up in his system. He was temporarily suspended by the NSAC on March 23, which led to his second fight against Golovkin getting canceled.
Alvarez withdrew April 3 from his rematch against Golovkin because he was advised that the NSAC would extend his temporary suspension Wednesday. They were scheduled to fight again May 5 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Neither Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) nor Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) has fought since they battled to a controversial 12-round draw September 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Handlers for Golovkin announced earlier Wednesday that he’ll fight junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) on May 5 at StubHub Center in Carson, California (HBO).
–boxingscene.com
