Jaime Munguia's recent drug test has thrown his boxing career into turmoil. The Mexican fighter tested positive for exogenous testosterone metabolites during his May 3 rematch against Bruno Surace.
VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) conducted the test that revealed the presence of banned substances in Munguia's system. This unexpected result has put his unanimous decision victory over Surace in jeopardy and could lead to a suspension if confirmed.
Munguia expressed shock at the news. He stated, "Receiving this notification of an adverse finding has been a complete surprise to me." The boxer claims he's never knowingly used banned substances and points out that earlier tests during his training camp came back negative. He's open to further testing and suggests contamination as a possible explanation.
This scandal comes at a crucial time for Munguia. He recently joined Canelo Alvarez's team and started training under Eddy Reynoso. The positive test has raised questions about the credibility of Reynoso's gym.
Canelo Alvarez, Munguia's stablemate and former opponent, defended his teammate on May 30. Alvarez said, "We are fully behind Munguia. Only he knows what happened." The 34-year-old champion explained that Reynoso only oversees training and doesn't handle fighters' supplements or meals. Alvarez suggested that Reynoso should manage all aspects of an athlete's preparation to prevent similar issues in the future.
The boxing world now waits for the results of Munguia's B-sample test. If it comes back positive, Munguia could face severe repercussions, including a possible suspension. This outcome would derail his momentum in the super middleweight division and raise more concerns about Reynoso's gym. A negative result could help clear Munguia's name.
Munguia's legal team and management will likely push for additional testing. The boxing community remains focused on Munguia's next move and the final ruling on the B-sample test.
This situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing battles with doping and regulation in boxing. It also brings back memories of Canelo's own brush with a doping scandal in 2018, when he tested positive for clenbuterol ahead of his rematch with Gennady Golovkin. At the time, Canelo blamed contaminated meat in Mexico for the positive test, but the incident briefly tarnished his reputation.
As the story unfolds, the boxing world watches closely, knowing that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for Munguia, Reynoso's gym, and the sport as a whole.
