The World Boxing Council have released a statement on the positive test involving their Super-Middleweight champion.
David Benavidez held his hands up this week following a positive drugs test for cocaine. Benavidez, the youngest boxing world title holder at 21, was flagged by VADA for cocaine.
Breaking the news, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The World Boxing Council has received confirmation from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency of an adverse finding of David Benavidez. Protocol to immediately begin and will inform.”
Revealing his sorrow, Benavidez offered no excuses when taking to social media on Tuesday evening.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the WBC for my actions. I am embarrassed to have this happen. (Also), to my all my fans that I lost the respect of.
“I know a lot of people won’t see me the same but I am young and it was a mistake on my behalf,” he added.
UPDATE
In a release handed to WBN late on Wednesaday, the WBC issued further thoughts on the matter.
“The WBC received yesterday a report from VADA. It contained an adverse finding of Benzoylecgonine.
“This is from an out of competition test from August 27 of WBC Super Middleweight champion David Benavidez.
“This adverse result has been confirmed with the fighter who will not challenge the opening of “B” sample.
“The WBC Clean Boxing Program Committee has begun the process under the protocol. We will inform once a final resolution has been reached.
“We truly regret this unfortunate situation of a doping violation of our Super Middleweight champion,” the statement added.
With an uncertain immediate future, Benavidez faces the possibility of sanctions and even the removal of his title.
(Benzoylecgonine – is the compound tested for in most substantive cocaine urinalyses. It is the corresponding carboxylic acid of cocaine, its methyl ester. It is formed in the liver by the metabolism of cocaine, catalysed by carboxylesterases, and subsequently excreted in the urine.)
