If you were excited about the rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on May 5, calm your nerves because it’s not happening anymore.
Thanks to two doping violations and a suspension from a Nevada State Athletic Commission, Canelo has withdrawn from the second match between him and Triple G. The first fight was very controversial, ending in a draw, and setting up a highly anticipated rematch which was determined to prove a winner.
Alvarez tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs twice in February. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association administered the urine tests in Guadalajara, Mexico.
With a hearing on April 18, Golden Boy Promotions didn’t think the issue would be resolved in time to keep the fight on and promote it properly, so they cancelled.
Canelo continues to say he’s a clean fighter and eating contaminated beef caused his results.
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Golden Boy hopes that Alvarez can create some good will with the boxing commission and lower his suspension, which will presumably be for one year since this is his first offense. The team is hoping it can get lowered to six months. Depending on their ruling and whether or not his punishment is six months or a year, the earliest he can come back is in August.
As far as Golovkin, he still plans to fight on May 5 in Las Vegas like normal, with his opponent to be determined soon.