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Doping positive dethrones heavyweight champion Toney
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-12 13:35
Boxer James Toney has tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone and
has been stripped of the victory that made him the World Boxing Association
heavyweight champion.
US boxer James Toney (C) celebrates with
promoter Don King (L) after defeating John Ruiz of Puerto Rico for the WBA
heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden. Toney has tested
positive for an illegal substance, reportedly an anabolic steroid, and was
stripped of the victory that made him the World Boxing Association
heavyweight champion. [AFP] | The New York State
Athletic Commission ruled that Toney's unanimous 12-round decision over Puerto
Rico's John Ruiz here on April 30 is now officially a "no decision" because of
Toney's positive post-fight doping test.
Toney was also fined 10,000 dollars and banned from fighting for 90 days.
That could become a two-year ban once the WBA imposes its punishments, which
also will include stripping Toney of the heavyweight crown and returning it to
Ruiz, an unpopular champion for his plodding, hug-filled style of fighting.
Toney denied that he has ever taken any performance-enhancing
substance.
"I've never used any illegal substances to prepare myself for a fight," Toney
said. "Being accused of taking performance enchancing substances is an insult to
me. I don't do drugs. Period."
Dan Goossen, promoter for the 36-year-old American fighter, confirmed that
Toney tested positive for nandrolone. Goossen said medications Toney took to
treat injuries that wiped out two prior fights led to the positive test.
"Toney received medical treatment for recovery from his biceps and triceps
surgery last year," Goossen said. "His doctor has stated that the combination of
medications used to control the inflammation and tissue growth caused the
positive test result.
"This is further supported since the body, in combination with the
medications, naturally create the form of substance (nandrolone) reflected in
the test results."
Toney's steroid positive comes two weeks after US lawmakers conducted a
hearing into steroids in American football and just days after they gave
preliminary approval to forming an oversight committee to regulate boxing.
New York state rules call for the fight to be declared no contest with any
decision regarding possession of a title to be made by the sanctioning body.
WBA rules require the title to revert to the original champion if a
triumphant challenger fails of a doping test.
So Ruiz - who retired after the fight but said two days ago he would fight
again - is set to reclaim the WBA crown and a dubious place among hopefuls for a
unified championship.
"We are waiting for the WBA to immediately implement its rule," Ruiz lawyer
Anthony Cardinale said. "We're glad the truth has come out and Johnny hasn't
lost his championship."
Toney looked overweight but not bulked up but became only the third former
middleweight champion in boxing history to claim a heavyweight crown, following
compatriot Roy Jones and 1890s fighter Bob Fitzsimmons.
Toney would be eligible to appeal before a WBA committee in hopes of keeping
his crown.
"It would be unjust for the sport to reprimand a fighter who was under a
doctor's care and direction many months before in healing a career threatening
injury," Goossen said.
Norman Stone, Ruiz's manager and a man who traded verbal pre-fight blows with
Toney, was rejoicing after the decision despite his man's unpopularity.
"All I've ever heard was how bad Johnny Ruiz was for boxing. Who's bad for
boxing now?" Stone said. "Toney's always talking about being a man. Well, he
should be a man and admit what he did instead of making excuses."
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