The camp of world bantamweight boxing champion Zolani Tete has appealed to organisers of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) to introduce 24-hour random dope tests to all the participants of the series.
This after his date against Russian Mikhail Aloyan was announced as October 13 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Tete, who has already started camp, preparing to face Russian Mikhail Aloyan in the first round feels some fighters in the series may use illegal methods to gain unfair advantage.
The other boxers in the series include Northern Ireland’s Ryan Burnett defending his WBA bantamweight super title against Filipino veteran Nonito Donaire.
Japanese star Naoya Inoue will risk his WBA regular title against Dominican Republican Juan Carlos Payano while Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez will defend his IBF trinket to Australian Jason Moloney.The fights came into being after a draw in Russia a fortnight ago.
The dates and venues of other fights have not been announced as yet.
Aloyan is seen as a minnow in the series having fought just four times with no knockout to speak of.
He however has a big amateur pedigree having won numerous medals including bronze at the 2012 Olympics.
With stakes so high, Tete’s team feels some boxers may try to gain an upperhand by illegal means.
“That’s why we insist on 24 hours random testing to level the playing fields,” Tete’s manager Mla Tengimfene said.
While Tengimfene did not say he suspected foul play, Aloyan’s past indiscretion with doping is believed to have influenced the call for random testing.
The Russian reportedly failed a doping test in the amateur and even received a punishment for it.
Asked if he was aware if Aloyan has a history of cheating, Tengimfene confirmed to hearing the reports.
“Someone who knows him told me to be careful because indeed he reportedly once failed a doping test at the amateur ranks,” he said.
Russian athletes have stigma of using banned substances with the problem also spilling over to its boxers.
Several boxers from Russia such as heavyweight challenger Alexander Povetkin, who will face Anthony Joshua for the world heavyweight titles in September 22, have history of failed dope tests.
Tete’s team does not want to be caught in that scourge.
“We want to lose fairly if we lose.”
However Comoso AG seems to be guarding against dope use as the owners of the series surprised boxers with demand for dope test while attending the WBSS draw in Russia.
Tete said he was surprised when officials ordered him to subject himself to testing.
“I hope they will be consistent on this testing thing,” said Tete...