Boxer Oscar Valdez tests positive for banned substance days before title bout

Oscar Valdez's super featherweight world title defence against Robson Conceicao is in doubt after the defending champion tested positive for a banned substance.

The Mexican boxer tested positive for phentermine, a stimulant banned by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

Phentermine gives the body strength and endurance, meaning an athlete would be able to work harder and longer until exhaustion in both training and in competition.

According to ESPN, a letter written by Pat English, a lawyer for Valdez, claims: "Mr. Valdez had no knowledge that he was taking phentermine and that we believe at this point it comes from an herbal tea."

A hearing has since been held with a decision on whether or not the fight will be able to go ahead and if Valdez will face any form of punishment is set to be announced in the coming days.

The news has sparked controversy in the boxing world, with some figures raising questions about Valdez and his trainer Eddy Reynoso, who has endured controversy around banned substances before.

Canelo Alvarez was banned for six months in 2018 after testing positive for clenbuterol, despite claiming it was contaminated meat eaten in Mexico that was the cause.

Do you think the fight between Valdez and Conceicao will go ahead? Let us know in the comments section.

Julio Cesar Martinez, another fighter trained by Reynoso, also tested positive for clenbuterol the following year.

By this point, the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) had recognised a problem with contaminated meat and Martinez was unpunished.

WADA later clarified this meant Canelo Alvarez had also been "innocent" and the allowable threshold for the amount of clenbuterol was raised.

But this latest substance scandal surrounding a fighter trained by Reynoso has once again caused speculation about his methods.

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WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney said: "Eddy Reynoso whole camp on that s***," to which the trainer replied: "No haters, no life."

Ryan Garcia, another of Reynoso's fighters, also took exception to Haney's words.

"Shut your mouth accusing me of cheating," he said. "I get it you can't punch even with 8oz gloves but don't be accusing me of such a serious accusation."

Conceicao's manager Sergio Batarelli said he was "upset" by the news, and only found out about what had happened when approached by ESPN for comment.

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