Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin rematch may be postponed or canceled

Martin Rogers | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Canelo Alvarez blames failed drug test on bad meat Canelo Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol in trace amounts his team says are consistent with meat contamination that has impacted athletes in Mexico and China.

Canelo Alvarez’s rematch against Gennady Golovkin moved to the verge of cancellation or postponement Thursday, when the Nevada Athletic Commission’s executive director filed a formal complaint against Alvarez for doping violations.

Commission chief Bob Bennett’s complaint means that Alvarez’s case, in which he is expected to put forward an explanation for why two February drug tests showed traces of the banned steroid Clenbuterol in his system, now will be heard April 18.

That leaves just over two weeks between the hearing and the scheduled fight date of May 5, making the bout utterly impractical in its initial time slot. Broadcaster HBO has ceased its promotional efforts involving the contest, which follows a controversial draw between Alvarez and Golovkin last September.

Nevada’s regulations seem to offer little leeway for Alvarez, who has insisted his positive samples came as a result of consuming tainted Mexican beef. The rules allow for exceptions to be made in instances when an athlete unwittingly ingested a banned substance, but, given that issues regarding Mexican meat have been common and well-publicized, that defense is not open to the once-defeated boxer from Guadalajara.

A one-year suspension seems to be the minimum Alvarez can expect for a first-time offense. However, that can be reduced to six months if he cooperates with the commission.

According to the Nevada complaint, Alvarez’s “utilization, ingestion and/or consumption of Clenbuterol, whether intentional or not, constitutes an anti-doping violation.”

A six-month ban would allow the rematch against Golovkin to take place in September, possibly on the 15th, on Mexican Independence Day weekend, one of the premier dates in boxing.

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