Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight debut is in danger of being canceled after Tyrone Spong was tested positive for using banned substances in a random doping test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed on social media that the Surinamese heavyweight boxer was positive about using banned substances.
“We have been contacted by VADA to let us know that there were adverse findings in the Tyrone Spong test,” Hearn said through his verified Twitter account Monday (7/10/2019) night. “It’s been sent to the Illinois State commission and more information will be released in the morning.”
According to the BoxingScene.com page, the ‘A’ Spong sample (14-0, 13KO) shows the forbidden Clomiphene findings, which are commonly found in prescription drugs for female fertility.
Because it relates to men’s use it has been considered a prohibited World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), both inside and outside the competition.
Former explorer king Oleksandr Usyk (16-0, 12 KOs) is scheduled to make a heavyweight debut against Tyrone Spong at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Saturday (12/10/2019) local time or Sunday (10/13/2019) ) morning WIB. However, with this case, the duel is in danger of being canceled.
Eddie Hearn revealed that he had been looking for Spong’s replacement boxer to meet Usyk. “We have a backup opponent who is on standby,” Hearn added.
Previously, Usyk was scheduled to make his heavyweight debut against Carlos Takam (36-5-1, 28 KO) on 25 Me. But the 2012 Olympic gold medalist withdrew because of an injury. Talks to reschedule were unsuccessful, after Takam signed a promotion agreement with Joe DeGuardia from Star Boxing.
In 2018, Usyk united all the explorers’ class divisions when he united the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO world titles with a dominating decision on Murat Gassiev in the final battle of the World Super Boxing Super Series. In his last explorer class battle in November last year, Usyk scored a brutal knockout over Tony Bellew, who retired afterwards.
VADA operates in boxing and MMA branches. They ask the boxer or promoter to do the testing during the fight. It said, Spong was part of the testing program on September 20.
Las Vegas-based Vada has gained a brilliant reputation in boxing and was responsible for the tests that caused American heavyweight boxer Jarrell Miller and Mexican boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to face a doping ban in recent years.
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