Former lightweight champion Brandon Rios, who agreed to random drug testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) for his November 23 welterweight showdown with Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in Macau, failed his post-fight drug test, according to reports by ESPN, Latino Post and other media.
Rios, who lost a shutout decision in a ‘noncompetitive’ fight with Pacquiao, tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine, often used as a dietary supplement but also a performance-enhancing drug, ESPN said.
“Mr. Rios did not successfully complete the VADA programme,” Margaret Goodman, who heads VADA, told ESPN.com on Friday.
Rios was notified shortly after the fight and according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, he has already been suspended by the Macau commission that regulated the fight. Arum said he thought the suspension was for five or six months but was unsure.
“I can say unequivocally that it was not a steroid-related substance,” Arum told ESPN. “It was some substance that was like a minor kind of thing that you’re not supposed to take, something you take for weight loss, like a diuretic. They say it’s not a steroid but it was something you should not have in your urine after a fight. So it went to the [Macau] commission that was in charge of the fight and they gave him a suspension. He is allowed to appeal.”
Latino Post quoted Arum as saying that the VADA tests “found traces of dimenthylamylamine (DMAA). The report added that Rios would likely face suspension as a consequence of failing the post-fight drug test if his B-sample also tests positive for the same substance.
According to ESPN, Arum blamed Alex Ariza, Rios’ strength and conditioning coach, for the failed test.
Pacquiao successfully completed the VADA programme. (macaunews)
