NONITO DONAIRE, NO.1 DRUG-FREE BOXER POUND-FOR-POUND
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Jan 2013
Boxing is a sport where performance-enhancing drug (PED) use is widespread. It is a combat sport where several fighters especially those who scored impressive victories against superior opponents are subject to clouds of doubt related to the use of doping. If a boxer uses PEDs he has a competitive edge over his opponent. The wide-ranging list of banned PEDs includes the most commonly used anabolic steroids, human growth hormones (hGH), and Erythropoietin.
Several big-name boxers are associated with the use of illegal drugs. They are either suspended by an international governing boxing body or a national boxing association. Some of them admitted publicly of their use of the banned substances. A number of these boxers were found guilty by the court of illegal drug use and some of them were suspended for failing to take the mandatory drug testing.
The list by Wikipedia includes famous boxers in several weight categories. They are Rosendo ?lvarez, Andre Berto, Francois Botha, Shannon Briggs, Mariano Natalio Carrera, Ali Funeka, Juan Carlos G?mez, Joan Guzm?n, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Vitali Klitschko, Ricardo Mayorga, Jameel McCline, Tommy Morrison, Shane Mosley, David Munyasia, Lamont Peterson, Luis Rom?n, Omar Ni?o Romero, Antonio Tarver, James Toney, F?lix Trinidad, Mike Tyson, Manuel Vargas, Fernando Vargas, Manju Wanniarachchi, and Pernell Whitaker.
Nonito Donaire became the first boxer to submit himself to blood and urine testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association 365 days a year, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. The test is randomly conducted inside or outside the training camp.
"I love this sport of boxing; it's something that has provided me all of the blessings that I have in life," Donaire told ESPN.com. "It's the least that I can do for myself, my fans and for the sport. To me, it's just a normal thing because I really don't have anything to hide in terms of my ability. I'm proud of where I am at because of my natural talent and hard work."
All the tests conducted by VADA were all negative. Boxing Scene quoted this correspondence: "VADA has conducted tests which include, but are not limited to, the Anabolic Steroids panel, Carbon Isotope Ratio (CIR/IRMS) tests for the presence of exogenous testosterone, and analyses to determine erythropoietin (EPO) and human growth hormone (hGH) administration. Although further analyses may be conducted on previous or future specimens, I can confirm that all results to date are negative."
The VADA is an independent organization founded to offer and promote effective anti-doping programs in boxing and mixed martial arts. According to its own website: ?Through voluntary participation, VADA aims to help protect the health and safety of athletes who are willing to demonstrate their commitment to clean sport. The association will provide confidential counseling and referral assistance to athletes at risk for performance enhancing drug and harmful supplement use.?
Donaire has shown to the world that a true-bloodied Filipino fighter can lead an excellent example to all fighters of all nations. He challenged his probable next opponent WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba to follow this formula to clean the sport.
Not even the other boxers in the top pound-for-pound list by The Ring, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and other prestigious magazines and websites submitted themselves to the kind of voluntary drug testing, including Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao.
In all indications we can conclude that The Filipino Flash Donaire is not only the 2012 Fighter of the Year but also the world?s number one drug-free boxer pound-for-pound.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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