THE PETERSON CASE DEMONSTRATES THE NEED FOR COMMISSIONS TO INSTITUTE MORE ASTRINGENT ?GET TOUGH? POLICIES
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 May 2012
Peterson.
Reports indicate that the big re-match between World Champion Lamont Peterson and former champion Amir Khan has been canceled.
It was canceled because Lamont Peterson tested positive for testosterone use.
The cancellation caused a lot of hardships to everyone that makes a living out of such events, from the lowly cab driver that stands to earn extra bucks from the increased
ridership to the promoters who would lose at least six figures for fights of such magnitude.
Many suggestions have been made to address the problem. Some suggested that the opponent and the guys on the undercard sue the guy that took drugs and caused the cancellation.
However, even if they win the law suit, collecting from such offending boxers will be next to impossible. They simply do not have the funds to pay up for damages.
Given that, I would like to offer my two cents worth.
I suggest that a mordant ?zero tolerance policy be instituted by boxing commissions? If a boxer tests positive for illegal drug use and investigation indicates that the boxer is guilty
and the lab tests are accurate, the said boxer should be banned for life from making money as a boxer.
Forget about suspending the boxer. Such ?slap on the hands? punishments do work.
We know it, and the boxers know it too. Thus they take the risks.
For the zero tolerance policy to work well, States must totally honor the decision made by other States. No exceptions!
The prospect of a life time ban is a sure fire deterrent. It will make the potential cheaters think long and deep before they use illegal drugs.
It would not be a surprise if many will brand my suggestion as ?too harsh?. Why deprive a boxer of his livelihood for one mistake, they would say.
I agree, its a very tough punishment. But, when one considers the consequences of cheating by using illegal drugs, the crime justifies such a tough punishment.
Unless, the commissions stands their grounds and implement tough zero tolerance policies, the Peterson case will not be the last one we will be talking about in the future. I am positive many more will come. Sad, but that is just how things go in boxing.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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