WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez 29-0 (23) has denied knowingly taking a banned substance following his positive test for Phentermine this week.
Mexican Valdez, 30, was set to make the first defence of the 130-pound crown her won against countryman Miguel ‘El Alacran’ Berchelt 38-2 (24) by 10th round knockout in Las Vegas in February against 32-year-old Brazilian Robson ‘Nino’ Conceicao 16-0 (8) at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona on September 9.
The fight was thrown into jeopardy when news broke this week that Valdez had failed a drug test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
Valdez’s attorney Pat English claimed the low amount of Phentermine in his client’s system was attributable to contaminated herbal tea.
While the testing was conducted by VADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the body that has ultimate authority over Valdez’s upcoming fight.
Under WADA rules, Phentermine is not a prohibited substance unless there is a positive test taken during the period considered “in competition”.
WADA rules state this covers “11:59 pm on the day before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate through the end of such competition and sample collection process related to such competition.”
In light of these rules the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Athletic Department decided to allow the Valdez- Conceicao fight to proceed. Their decision was supported by the Association of Boxing Commissioners (ABC).
Valdez has insisted he never knowingly ingested a prohibitive substance.
“I have never used banned substances to improve my performance,” Valdez said in a statement released on social media. “I have never done it. I have been respectful of the anti-doping rules since I was an amateur, Olympian, and now professional.
“Since I became world champion in 2016, I have been VADA-tested more than 30 times. I insisted – in writing – on VADA testing for myself and Robson Conceicao for this fight.
“I would like to thank my manager Frank Espinoza, [promoter] Top Rank, [trainer] Eddy Reynoso and my entire team for standing by me throughout this process.
“I would also like to thank the Pascua Yaqui Boxing Commission for the due process in hearing my case.”
Today the WBC – who run their Clean Boxing Program in collaboration with VADA – announced that Valdez will placed on 12-months’ probation and would need to be available for random drug tests for the next six months.
In addition, he will need to enrol and participate in the WBC weight management program as well as perform duties as a WBC Ambassador including a minimum of six personal appearances to promote and educate attendants on principles consistent with clean boxing, weight management proper practices and with the WBC social responsibility values.
“Clean Boxing is one of the bedrocks of the WBC,” the Mexican sanctioning body said in a statement.
“The WBC will maintain its leadership in the sport by investing resources and efforts in making sure that boxing is clean and that boxers are educated and protected, while justice prevails at all times.”
Valdez has confirmed he will comply with the WBC’s stipulations.
“I will happily comply with the stipulations set forth by the World Boxing Council to collaborate in the programs, tests and other activities required of me,” he said.
“See you on September 10th in the first defence on my WBC world title in Tucson, Arizona.”
