Billy Joe Saunders has failed a VADA test

[Alpha]

It is quite possible in this day and age something quite legal can contain a banned substance. What billy joe was filmed doing to women was fairly despicable, but certainly no more than what other guys have been banned for in the past. I’m somewhat glad his fight seems to still be on, because no matter what it’s a good fight. I think Andrade is a very good fighter who is being underrated and has every chance to win, as well.

The fighter is still responsible at the end of the day for what goes into this bodies.

I agree Andrade doesn't deserve to miss out on this opportunity, but he does deserve to be in the ring with someone that has followed the rules.

Didn't Ortiz' fight with Wilder get cancelled because Ortiz' team didn't put down his medication?

[Alpha]

It is quite possible in this day and age something quite legal can contain a banned substance. What billy joe was filmed doing to women was fairly despicable, but certainly no more than what other guys have been banned for in the past. I’m somewhat glad his fight seems to still be on, because no matter what it’s a good fight. I think Andrade is a very good fighter who is being underrated and has every chance to win, as well.

The fighter is still responsible at the end of the day for what goes into this bodies.

I agree Andrade doesn't deserve to miss out on this opportunity, but he does deserve to be in the ring with someone that has followed the rules.

Didn't Ortiz' fight with Wilder get cancelled because Ortiz' team didn't put down his medication?

And I know Ortiz had been busted previously and this is Saunders' first time up, but the scenario is similar.

[p4pking]

Oh I’m not pretending be selfless, just saying I think it’s an interesting fight and want to see it anyways. Does always make me wonder what the guy potentially getting fucked over (Andrade here) can do about it though....

[Alpha]

Now this is interesting, don't know if there's any truth in it or not but apparently there might not be any nasal sprays that contain oxilofrine.

[p4pking]

My feeling is that maybe it should be up to the Opponent? As bad as training for a fight only to have it cancelled last minute may be, having a full camp only to have it cancelled within a week or something really can’t be much worse...

[Alpha]

My feeling is that maybe it should be up to the Opponent? As bad as training for a fight only to have it cancelled last minute may be, having a full camp only to have it cancelled within a week or something really can’t be much worse...

Yea definitely and missing out on the payday. Then possibly being inactive fit several more months.

Not sure how I feel yet about letting the opponent decide, let me think on it.

Another thing, I'm not sure if the UKAD has any say in this, as the fight is in the States and as it's under VADA testing, I think that it might banned.

[p4pking]

My feeling is that maybe it should be up to the Opponent? As bad as training for a fight only to have it cancelled last minute may be, having a full camp only to have it cancelled within a week or something really can’t be much worse...

Yea definitely and missing out on the payday. Then possibly being inactive fit several more months.

Not sure how I feel yet about letting the opponent decide, let me think on it.

Another thing, I'm not sure if the UKAD has any say in this, as the fight is in the States and as it's under VADA testing, I think that it might banned.

Didn’t mean to make any comments on geography, it just must suck so much for the guy who puts in a full training camp, then loses the whole opportunity to fight. Takes a lot of time, energy, and earning potential out of his body for absolutely zilch...

[smashup]

Whichever way this substance got into Saunders body should be irrelevant.
They need to be rock solid against any performance enhancing substance and ban anyone with anything illegal in their system.
Professional athletes/trainers must know what's what in this day and age.
You can't ban one Athlete but not another for having the same drug in their system.
He'll get away with this because the rules say he will but he's able to train & recover better than a clean fighter by using stimulants again because the rules say he can.
VADA are a fucking JOKE and in effect encouraging fighters to take PED substances
Because it's "ok" as long as it doesn't "flag up" on the day of the fight.

[Alpha]

Whichever way this substance got into Saunders body should be irrelevant.
They need to be rock solid against any performance enhancing substance and ban anyone with anything illegal in their system.
Professional athletes/trainers must know what's what in this day and age.
You can't ban one Athlete but not another for having the same drug in their system.
He'll get away with this because the rules say he will but he's able to train & recover better than a clean fighter by using stimulants again because the rules say he can.
VADA are a fucking JOKE and in effect encouraging fighters to take PED substances
Because it's "ok" as long as it doesn't "flag up" on the day of the fight.

The UKAD at the ones saying its ok out of competition, I think it's completely banned by VADA.

[Ron Swanson]

My feeling is that maybe it should be up to the Opponent? As bad as training for a fight only to have it cancelled last minute may be, having a full camp only to have it cancelled within a week or something really can’t be much worse...

Problem with it being left up to the opponent is it wouldn’t necessarily be the opponent deciding. Some guy in a lower position may not want to fight a guy on PEDs but his promoter tells him to do it. Or he may do it out of need rather than safety. Either is very bad.

[smashup]

Warrens statement where he states VADA rules confirming that VADA the very people who are supposed to catch drug cheats actually allow an Athlete to take them as long as the Athlete does so "out of competition"

Absolute Joke 😨

Billy Joe Saunders has insisted he is a "clean athlete" following confirmation from the British Boxing Board of Control that he was "not in breach of BBBofC or UKAD anti-doping regulations".

Less than a month before Saunders is due to defend his WBO world middleweight title against Demetrius Andrade, reports emerged of an "adverse analytical finding" in a drugs test.

However, promoter Frank Warren said a nasal spray product that Saunders had used is permitted "out of competition" and that the 29-year-old fighter was not in breach of any BBBofC or United Kingdom Anti-Doping regulations.

In a statement, Warren said: "Following reports of an adverse analytical finding in a test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on WBO world middleweight champion, Billy Joe Saunders, we can confirm that the product concerned is permitted to be used 'out of competition' by United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) in line with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"For the avoidance of doubt, the product in question was a common decongestant nasal spray.

"The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) under whose jurisdiction Billy Joe Saunders is licensed are affiliated only to UKAD/WADA.

[Memphis]

I get that from a UK standpoint he's done no wrong. His license is in no way in jeopardy and UKAD don't consider it a violation of any rules, I get that. But what about the commission where the fight is taking place and why is it any business of UKAD?
@smashup where did you get that ruling from? There seems to be a lot of blurred lines that I just don't understand. I had a brief read of the policy on the VADA website and couldn't see it. VADA according to what I read doesn't distinguish in/out of competition, it's prohibited. WADA defines oxilofrine as OK out of competition. I don't understand why or how anyone other than the commission sanctioning the fight gets to define what is or isn't in/out of competition.

[p4pking]

My feeling is that maybe it should be up to the Opponent? As bad as training for a fight only to have it cancelled last minute may be, having a full camp only to have it cancelled within a week or something really can’t be much worse...

Problem with it being left up to the opponent is it wouldn’t necessarily be the opponent deciding. Some guy in a lower position may not want to fight a guy on PEDs but his promoter tells him to do it. Or he may do it out of need rather than safety. Either is very bad.

Yeah that’s a good point. Far as I know, there is no recourse for Andrade, or anyone in a position like his, to get anything out of this though? The opportunity cost is just immense. If I were him I’d rather fight a guy who took something than miss out on what may be the biggest chance and/or payday he ever gets, especially if he’s confident in winning.

[Master]

My feeling is that maybe it should be up to the Opponent? As bad as training for a fight only to have it cancelled last minute may be, having a full camp only to have it cancelled within a week or something really can’t be much worse...

Problem with it being left up to the opponent is it wouldn’t necessarily be the opponent deciding. Some guy in a lower position may not want to fight a guy on PEDs but his promoter tells him to do it. Or he may do it out of need rather than safety. Either is very bad.

Yeah that’s a good point. Far as I know, there is no recourse for Andrade, or anyone in a position like his, to get anything out of this though? The opportunity cost is just immense. If I were him I’d rather fight a guy who took something than miss out on what may be the biggest chance and/or payday he ever gets, especially if he’s confident in winning.

Easiest thing is to for the drug cheat to be sued for loss of earning and have to pay compensation to his opponent.