Current IBO cruiserweight champion and former light heavyweight king Antonio Tarver has reportedly failed a drug test following his 12 round draw against Lateef Kayode in Carson City, California on June 2. The drug is said to be a banned anabolic steroid.
Tarver,who is also employed by Showtime as a co blow by blow commentator is scheduled to work Saturday’s Victor Ortiz-Joesito Lopez fight, has been suspended by the California Commission pending the opening of the ‘B’ sample. Tarver is the third high profile fighter to test positive for. a banned steriod in the last six months.. The other two are Andre Berto and Lamont Peterson.
Following the news Tarver sent out the following statement: I have always been a proponent of a clean sport and an advocate for the most rigorous drug testing in boxing. The positive test results came as a complete surprise to me today. I will be examining every potential cause and ultimately, I am confident that my fans will see that I was not at anytime attempting to gain an unfair or illegal advantage in my performance.”
June 22, 2012
