IBF and WBA junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson has tested positive for a banned substance, which jeopardizes his May 19 rematch against Amir Khan.
Peterson (30-1-1, 15 knockouts) and Khan (26-2, 18 KOs) contractually agreed to be randomly drug tested for blood and urine for their return bout by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) in advance of their HBO-televised clash.
Peterson's publicist, Andre Johnson, issued a statement to RingTV.com on behalf of the fighter and his manager, Barry Hunter, on Monday evening acknowledging the positive test but would not specify what the substance was.
This is the statement:
"We have tremendous respect for VADA and its mission. Lamont, Barry and the entire team emphatically support random drug testing in the most comprehensive manner possible. We are working expeditiously with a team of pathologists and other medical specialists to confirm the origin of the test result and in full compliance with the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
"Lamont has never had a positive test either before or after this isolated occurrence, and we plan to submit medical findings by close of business Tuesday reflecting the actual facts in support of Lamont's good faith intentions and the requirements of the commission."
RingTV.com was unable to reach VADA founder and President Margaret Goodman, the Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who handles Khan, for comment.
A new operation, VADA debuted its testing with this past Saturday's WBC junior middleweight title bout involving Saul Alvarez, who successfully defended his belt by a unanimous decision over former champ Sugar Shane Mosley.
Peterson took the belts from Khan by a split decision in December in Peterson's native Washington, D.C.
status for me.
But Shane held his own in there (even tho I do agree this should be his last fight). That kid looked as tired as Shane by the end, and he's half his age.
