WBC Talks Round 60: Clean Boxing Program

Panel

Dr. Margaret Goodman

Dr. Daniel Eichner

David Benavidez

Mauricio Sulaiman

Alberto Leon

Victor Silva   

VADA- The Voluntary Anti Doping Association, which led to the The Clean Boxing Program was started in 2011 as the brainwave  and resulting brainchild of World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman and Dr Margaret Goodman.

Dr Goodman who describes it as an incredible endeavor, explains it`s brought awareness of anti doping to the forefront.  Dr Dan Eichner who`s team processes many of those tests, says: “We try to do a lot of research to make it easier for the athletes.  It is a great privilege to partner with you. With the Covid 19 pandemic it isn`t easy. Anything we can do to help, we are with you.”

More than seven hundred boxers have already signed the forms and are part of Clean Boxing Program, who`s motto is: “You use…you lose.”  This means that there must be a 24 hours per day, seven days a week and three hundred and sixty five days per year eligibility for testing, both in and out of competition.  And also learning programs, which teach specifics about supplements involving what you should and should not take. Dr Goodman says: “We are always available for fighters to contact us, asking about supplements.” Instagram and twitter are making whereabouts easier to coordinate.

Dr Goodman wryly smiles, recalling that when the Clean Boxing Program was created at a WBC Convention in Las Vegas, a promoter sitting next to her, who will remain unnamed said it wouldn`t work, but Mauricio and the WBC can accomplish anything!

David Benavidez tested positive for cocaine and was suspended for a year.  The WBC recommended treatment and counselling to help David overcome this youthful, but potentially extremely harmful indiscretion, which could have put his life at risk. David who has fought back to win the World Boxing Council super middleweight championship for a second time, thanked the WBC for helping him gain perspective and for giving him a second chance.  He said: “I am here and doing my part in the program. The WBC has treated me like a son and part of the family. I will NEVER disappoint you again!”

The WBC`S mandatory testing dates back to 1975, with Don Jose pioneering it.  Mauricio and Dr Goodman met at an NABF Convention and decided to take it to the next vitally important level, then launching the Clean Boxing Program.  Mauricio explains: “We have had eighteen positive tests in this process and thirty missed missed tests. the key to the program is transparency.  Everyone is notified and in taking action, we strive for justice.”

Dr Eichner explains that environmental factors are important to consider, but every case is individual. Meat contamination is an issue, but positive tests are assessed on a case by case basis.  He also talks about new developments including one for Covid 19, which is appreciably less uncomfortable than sticking a Q Tip up your nose. Instead you can salivate into a funnel, seal it applying a lid, with the possibility to preserve it at room temperature for up to two weeks and the result can be through within five to six hours. There`s also the finger print test to detect antibodies.  So much easier to detect Covid, isolating it in a test for a boxer. The anti doping test involves up to three hundred banned substances.

Thank God, doping has not got a grip in Boxing, but Dr Goodman insists that boxers must take more responsibility themselves and heed the guidelines made available by the WBC.  The Panel agreed to update the WBC Webimar, which provides this data.

Dr Goodman stressed the danger of cocaine which is a leading cause of brain hemorrhages in young people and the cerebrum damage, especially affecting balance caused by binge drinking, which also causes brain shrinkage. Something like this can change a life.  She urged: “Stay healthy.”