Training for boxing can get strenuous. It demands physical prowess, fighting skills, and athletic endurance. To gain an edge, some fighters use performance-enhancing drugs to ease up their training and increase their strength, speed, and endurance at a faster rate. To ensure a level playing field for all competitors, drug testing of boxers becomes crucial. For the same, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), an autonomous body was set up to frequently drug test the athletes.
On June 11, Teofimo Lopez fought Josh Taylor for WBO junior welterweight championship in New York City. Taylor was the reigning champion and Lopez was the contender and an underdog. However, Lopez fought against the odds and defeated Taylor via a unanimous decision. After the bout, to keep results transparent, VADA took to Twitter and made the combatants’ drug test results public.
Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez’s drug test results; What’s next for the two?
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Being tested positive for banned substances can jeopardize a boxer’s career. VADA, apart from testing athletes, takes accountability for being transparent. On their Twitter account, @Vada_Testing announced that both Taylor and Lopez tested negative for any banned substances and congratulated them for the same. The Tweet stated, “Congratulations to @TeofimoLopez @JoshTaylorBoxer for successfully completing @Vada_Testing @trboxin @trboxeo @WorldBoxingOrg @CarlMoretti”.
Congratulations to @TeofimoLopez @JoshTaylorBoxer for successfully completing @Vada_Testing. @trboxing @trboxeo @WorldBoxingOrg @CarlMoretti
— Vada-Testing.org (@Vada_Testing) June 24, 2023
Both athletes have never tested positive in their professional careers. Although Taylor no longer remains the champion, he remains a top-level fighter in the division. He has plenty of opponents to face next and climb back up the ladder and potentially become a champion again. Meanwhile, Lopez has had a celebrated career, and for what it appears the career has now come to an end. After his victory against Taylor, Lopez announced his retirement.
He stated, “I’m kind of tired. I’m not getting paid enough, a million dollars? Get the f*** out of here. I need to take a break, I’m tired of everyone bullying me. I’m young, I’m a kid at heart. I think y’all need to go after the Devin Haney’s, Shakur Stevenson’s and Tyson Fury’s.”
Read More: Conor Benn Vows to Give Josh Taylor His “Last Payday Before Retirement”
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However, Lopez is too young to retire, and fans and experts alike are only speculating that he will make a comeback to the ring with the right deal. That is something only time can reveal. For all we know now, Taylor and Lopez have remained clean fighters. What do you make of this recent revelation? In addition, what do you want next for Lopez and Taylor? Tell us in the comments below.
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