RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

Julio Cesar Chavez JR & Manny Pacquiao: STEROIDS SCANDAL – PEDs BOXING SHOCKER

By Geno McGahee

Julio Cesar Chavez, JR., 46-0-1, 32 KO’s, will be facing the toughest test of his career on September 15th, as he defends his WBC Middleweight Title against the true champ of the division, Sergio Martinez, 49-2-2, 28 KO’s.

At one time, Chavez, JR., was considered a joke in the sport. He was a spoon-fed fighter, living off the reputation of his father, Julio Cesar Chavez, SR. With his last few performances, that reputation has changed. He it taken more seriously now, but there is lingering questions.

In November of 2009, Chavez, JR., picked up a decision win over Troy Rowland, but a positive test for a banned substance would change that victory to a “no contest.” With Chavez, JR., starting his career at 130 pounds in 2003 and now fighting at a solid 160, there is certainly concern that he is using PEDs.

Recently, Emanuel Steward came out and expressed his concerns over PEDs and just what his fighter, Andy Lee, was facing last Saturday night when he fought Chavez, JR. The first and rightful concern was the weight that Chavez puts on after the weigh in. He weighs in at 160 and fights at 180 pounds or more. If you look at his fights with Rubio and Lee, you will see that it looks like a cruiserweight taking on a middleweight and the minute he crowds his opponent, it’s over. They can’t fend off the much larger man.

There is certainly a danger in this. Arturo Gatti was cheating the scale when he faced Joey Gamache and came in 20 pounds over the agreed weight. This gave Gatti more power and Gamache paid dearly for it. It was one of the most devastating knockouts in the history of boxing.

It is not confirmed if Chavez, JR., is on PEDs or not, but there is certainly smoke, indicating a fire here. The money that is riding on Chavez, JR., is enough to get people to do some illegal things. Antonio Margarito loaded his hand wraps with plaster of Paris for the money, which could have easily killed somebody. Boxing has a bad reputation because of things like this.

With the recent positive tests for steroids of Andre Berto and Lamont Peterson, two of the sports’ best fighters and the dark cloud surrounding Chavez, questions need to be asked. One of the top fighters in the sport, Manny Pacquiao, has been accused of PEDs, refused to take testing for them and reportedly inquired to the Mayweather camp what the penalty would be for a positive test should they agree to fight. Considering that Chavez, JR., and Pacquiao both fight under Freddie Roach, it certainly adds credence to those that contend that both fighters are on PEDs.

Also take into consideration Roach’s defense of one of the biggest scumbags in boxing history, Panama Lewis. In an interview, Roach was very vocal in his defense of Lewis, and praised him as a trainer. This trainer took out padding out of his fighter’s gloves and then, reportedly, used plaster of Paris on the hand wraps, ending the career of prospect Billy Collins. If Roach will praise such a person, what does that say about him?

Boxing is in a terrible state right now and the so-called bad decision that Timothy Bradley received over Manny Pacquiao is the least of its problems. With Berto and Peterson coming up dirty, Chavez outweighing his opponents 20 pounds with regularity and the likelihood of the top brass in the sport using PEDs, boxing needs regulation very badly. Floyd Mayweather JR’s push for more testing may not be a bad idea after all.

Leave a Reply