‘Canelo’ Alvarez-GGG Las Vegas fight canceled
LOS ANGELES — Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s six-person news conference that included a lawyer and sports medicine doctor lasted an hour Tuesday, but the opening remarks said it all.
The highly anticipated May 5 rematch between Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena was officially canceled, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez announced.
“Let me begin by informing all of you that at this point, unfortunately, we’re going to have to cancel the May 5 rematch,” Gomez said at the promotional company’s office. “Given the current regulations by Nevada, we’ve been advised it is, unfortunately, unlikely Canelo will be cleared to fight in May.”
Alvarez, who is facing a one-year suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for an anti-doping violation, decided to withdraw from the megabout before learning his fate at the commission’s monthly meeting April 18.
BREAKING: Canelo-GGG rematch is officially canceled, @GoldenBoyBoxing announced
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) April 3, 2018
“The reality is, I’m extremely shocked that this has happened,” Alvarez said in Spanish. “I want to apologize to everyone who was involved with this fight: HBO, MGM, Tecate, Hennessy and you guys, the media, and my fans.
“I’ve never cheated, and I’ll never start. I’ve always been a clean fighter. … I respect the rules of the Nevada commission. I understand that they have rules, and I will respect them.”
Alvarez and his team didn’t provide answers as to why the Mexican fighter twice tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol in February. Alvarez’s lawyer, Ricardo Cestero, wouldn’t let him answer certain questions because of the pending hearing with the commission.
Alvarez again said the positive drug tests were triggered from contaminated meat he ate in Mexico. At his side was Dr. Miguel Angel Nazul, the vice president of the Mexican Federation in Sports Medicine, who explained in detail why Clenbuterol is a common problem in Alvarez’s native country.
But the commission has a strict policy for anti-doping violations, even if it’s proven to be accidental.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya and Gomez said they were hopeful that Alvarez could receive a reduced suspension of six months and return to fight Golovkin in August or September. Alvarez was placed on temporary suspension March 23.
“I’ve told the Nevada commission I’m willing to take all the tests needed to prove, and make it clear, I’m a clean fighter,” Alvarez said. “I’ve never taken a banned substance intentionally, and I’ll never do it. I respect the sport and my career too much.”
Golovkin still plans to headline an HBO pay-per-view card May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Cinco de Mayo. No possible opponents have been named.
“I am looking forward to returning to Las Vegas for my 20th title defense and headlining my first Cinco de Mayo event on May 5,” Golovkin said in statement. “It is time for less drama and more fighting.”
Gomez and De La Hoya took the blame for not informing Alvarez about the tainted meat situation in Mexico despite dealing with the matter twice before with boxers Erik Morales and Francisco Vargas. Both were allowed to fight because the bouts weren’t in Nevada.
“I’m disappointed and sad because I’ve trained very hard for this fight to show I’m the best middleweight in the world,” said Alvarez, who appeared stressed with red eyes. “I will have to wait, and I will do what I need to do to get back.”
Alvarez and Golovkin fought to a controversial split draw Sept. 16 at T-Mobile Arena.
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Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com. Follow@GManzano24 on Twitter.