Amid several press reports concerning the results of anti-doping tests performed on WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in connection with his upcoming defense of his bout against Callum Smith, the WBC clarified the situation.
Two samples (one urine and another blood) collected on December 6, 2023, yielded analytical “atypical findings” for 5b-androstanediol and hGH (human growth hormones). An atypical finding is not a positive results for a banned substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) defines an atypical finding as “a report from a laboratory or other WADA-approved entity which requires further investigation … ” That is exactly what the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), which is the entity that administers the WBC Clean Boxing Program, did in this case.
In response to the atypical findings, VADA immediately ordered additional anti-doping tests on Beterbiev. To that end, VADA caused samples to be collected from Beterbiev on December 15, 2023 (urine), December 21, 2023 (blood and urine), and then again on January 3, 2024 (blood). All of those samples yielded absolutely negative results. Matchroom, Top Rank, the Quebec Commission, all sanctioning bodies involved (WBC, IBF, and WBO), and the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) received notifications of all the results of anti-doping test Beterbiev has taken, and therefore of all follow up procedures.
It is widely known that there is no way to identify conclusively the source of an atypical finding. In the case of 5b-androstanediol, it has been reported that the atypical finding can be due to the rate certain people’s bodies metabolize naturally occurring testosterone-type compounds. In the case of hGH, WADA provides with specific criteria to its accredited laboratories to report hGH levels as atypical or adverse findings. In Beterbiev’s case, the level of hGH detected did not meet the WADA criteria for an adverse finding, and therefore constitutes an atypical one.
Because the origin of an atypical finding is very difficult to identify, WADA recommends further testing to monitor any abnormal variations in testosterone levels. In Beterbiev’s case, the follow up tests were not only negative, but yielded consistent testosterone levels without any spiking that could have suggested exogenous intake of performance enhancement substances. In short, Beterbiev’s testing protocol and results therein lead only to one conclusion: there are no adverse findings. In light of the testing measures taken and all results obtained, the WBC has not and will not take any adverse action in this matter.
So, between Dec6 collection and Dec 15 collection..a masking agent could have been used? asking for a friend
Yes they could(in theory).They can just plug in to a few bags of IV with vitamin infusions to dilute the levels enough to get an inaccurate result.
I asked around for your friend and was told that not too long ago, a fighter was caught with an IV still being administered and the excuse was “rehydration” after a feeling training camp. Some say masking agent but who knows.
Or theses wada and vada are absolute garbage.
Testing needs to be done right before and mid training camp. Any testing within 3 weeks of the fight will come up clean(usually). The benefits of PED use comes AFTER administration. Either way, to clear things up, we need the most transparent team that has never taken donations by any one particular fighter or their promotion company….USADA!!!! Don’t shoot, I’m just kidding.
yes i agree test early and during mid training camps also same day weigh ins need to be reinstalled so we can stop all the weight bullying
Or you could just establish testing standards based on real world conditions. The problem with these nonsensical “anti-doping” companies is that they design their tests with a workaround. A simple test for blood testosterone and oxygenation (the actual performance enhancing effects of drugs) is a cleaner and more realistic standard. Going on a journey to find metabolites is an absurd way to test. There’s a reason no primary care physician in the universe uses these kinds of tests.
I’m all for bringing back same day weigh-ins. I remember once weighing in at 4 pm and fighting at 8 pm. We all fought at our natural weight!
Yes, many years ago, i
remember doing many dozens of weigh-ins on the same day for low budget shows. We made all the weight limits higher.
Yes on the same day weigh-in. I was on the fence for many years, but I’m for it now.
If I remember rightly, one of the main reasons why the fight was canceled was because Artur Beterbiev had to have surgery for an infected tooth.
Is it possible that medication or pain killers administered could have had an effect on testosterone or HGH levels?
Or could it be that the infected tooth was a ruse to buy some time to let his piss cool down?
I had the same surgery done over a month ago been on painkillers even taken OxyContin a cocktail of drugs even some of the drugs contained fentanyl I was told. Maxilofacial surgery is no joke!!! If I take a drug test now???
Masking agents if present raise red flags not atypical findings. The proper steps were followed. Beterbiev is clean.
And that’s that! Theories all you like, we’ll never know. Drug cheats get found out eventually, whether it be in the now or later in life when the body starts to fail with all the p.e.d.’s they took side effects kick in…..
As noted above, these tests are shockingly unreliable because they aren’t testing for performance enhancement. The only body that actually tests this way is World Track & Field. A simple blood testosterone test and blood oxygen test will tell you if a person is cheating. Digging through the blood to find picograms of metabolites is a fool’s errand. If some dude has a free testosterone count of 2500, the guy is cheating… nothing else required. If he tests at 750, who cares what he took? He isn’t boosted. This isn’t rocket science, but the BS anti-doping agencies want to run up a huge bill when the simple, normal, everyday tests work better.
Suspicious blood and urine test results on Dec 6. But tested only his urine again on December 15. Waited until Dec 23 to test his blood again. Should have tested blood on Dec 15. Aren’t urine tests easier to fudge?
Sadly, if you find a good enough doctor and chemist, they can all be fudged. Urine is easier to clean than blood, definitely. These tests are designed such that rich athletes find workarounds and poor athletes get caught. A $20 blood panel that gets used at every clinic in the world is more reliable and efficient and catching drug cheats by merely testing baseline features for enhancement.
While I don’t purport to be educated on this stuff, it all seems very suspect. The fact there was an “atypical finding” of elevated HGH levels so soon before the fight leads me to infer Beterviev is quite possibly a drug cheat. It’d certainly explain his freakish strength and punching power for a 175 pounder while being close to forty years of age. And the fact the WBC would admit to his atypical finding at all is an indictment being the sanctioning fees from Beterbiev’s title fights contribute to their empire. It all just stinks to me. I’m so fed up with all the drug cheating in this sport where any unfair strength advantage could result in another fighter’s being seriously or permanently injured.
Sweetness, Are you implying that the WBC is not purer than the driven snow? (Tongue firmly embedded in cheek)
As long as they clean on the night of the fight no problem
I don’t see nothing wrong take stuff” to make the muscle growth because there is a weigh in a day before the fight so no problem at all
As long as they don’t use help” the night of the fight NO PROBLEM
The problem is elevated testosterone allows you to build unnatural amounts of muscle, and that muscle won’t disappear when your levels return to normal. It will subside and eventually it’ll even out, but it will take years.
They get weigh in so no problem
More muscle more weight then they have to move to next division
Carlos, more muscle that anyone would not have from their training regimen. It’s not just muscle, it’s stamina, the ability to take more punishment. It’s cheating whether it’s during training or before the fight. I’m not saying beterbiev cheated, I really don’t think so. I’m just responding to carlos’ post about what does it matter as long as they are clean on fight night. Come on Carlos!
I agree that’s why I said as long as they are clean when fighting no problem what they take
Is like I drink alcohol right now but my driving test is Monday
Doesn’t work that way. They gained distinct advantages in training that would come to fruition on fight night.
All it is, is giving Callum an excuse when he gets KO’d. All a load of BS and u keyboard boxers are a bunch of duds. All think use are experts on hgh and drips. Too much Google research done. Let’s just watch the big beast wipe out Callum and then see a super fight with bivol.
“Atypical” …this a sport where an individual can get seriously hurt or die in the ring…as such until there is clarity….fight should be cancelled….period….know this will not be popular….but.