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decision to clear Munguia as well as studies brought forth by Global Sports Advocates that claimed pregnenolone could produce false positives in doping tests. So, Munguia remains in the WBC super middleweight rankings (at No. 3) while Surace is unrated by the Mexico- based sanctioning organization. It should be pointed out that the WBC did not have a title on the line in the Munguia-Surace rematch, so one might wonder why they would need to chime in on the BBBofC’s and UKAD’s decisions, but it’s obvious that they want to be in the Munguia business as well as the good graces of his promoter, Fernando Beltran, and his trainer, Eddy Reynoso – both of whom carry a lot of influence in Mexico.
world, and boxing is often an ugly reminder of that. Munguia denied any wrongdoing – of course – and asked for his B-sample to be tested in hopes that the adverse finding was a false positive. When that sample also tested positive, Munguia’s management team did what most managers do in this situation – they “lawyered up” by retaining the services of Global Sports Advocates, a law firm that represents world-class athletes and proudly specializes in anti-doping violations. Team Munguia soon claimed the adverse finding was the result of contamination and sent 74 items to the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Utah
finding was caused by contamination. The metabolites in Munguia’s system were the result of EXOGENOUS testosterone, not endogenous or naturally occurring hormones, such as pregnenolone. According to anti- doping expert Dr. Daniel Eichner, president of the SMRTL, “The positive test for [Munguia’s] sample was based on the measurement of metabolites of testosterone-related steroids, which are unrelated to pregnenolone. Exposure to pregnenolone does not affect these targets. Use of pregnenolone alone does not result in a positive IRMS (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry) test.” And just to be clear that this doesn’t just apply to pregnenolone: The purpose of IRMS testing is to identify exogenous testosterone use. 2. Even if the adverse finding was due to contamination, Munguia
– the WADA-accredited lab where all VADA-collected samples are tested. These items that Munguia had supposedly ingested or come into contact with included supplements, creams, lotions, medicines, foods and even hotel shampoos. According to Global Sports Advocates, four of these items were contaminated with pregnenolone, a
competed with the presence of added testosterone, which is generally accepted as giving a performance-enhancing edge, and he should be held responsible. Strict liability – the legal concept that offenders should be held accountable for their actions and
naturally occurring steroid that is essential in the body’s production of other steroid hormones, including testosterone. Pregnenolone, which is not a banned substance, would be Munguia’s “Get Out of Jail Free” card. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) – which is the regulating authority for all Saudi Arabian events – passed this information over to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), which fully accepted the excuse of contamination. And just like that, the BBBofC announced in September that Munguia was cleared of any wrongdoing. The unanimous decision remains on the fighters’ records and Munguia is free to return to the ring again as soon as a fight can be made. UKAD reportedly gave him a warning. The WBC embraced the BBBofC’s
damages regardless of fault, negligence or intent – should apply to any abnormally dangerous activity, but especially so when performance-enhancing substances are used in professional boxing where the combatants run the risk of being seriously injured or killed. Sadly, in this case, boxing’s governing bodies were too busy protecting the well-connected fighter to seriously consider Munguia’s accountability or how those 12 rounds and the subsequent loss will impact Surace’s future health and career. The real victim was cast aside to clear the way for Munguia to get back in the ring before the end of the year and move on to a big fight in 2026. As usual, it’s business before sport in boxing. If it’s any consolation to Surace, The
Surace gave a solid effort but was unable to reproduce the magic of the first fight against Munguia.
Munguia released an official statement on his supposed exoneration in early September:
“I want to thank the WBC for reviewing the complete scientific
evidence and confirming there will be no investigation, charge or sanction. I did not cheat – the science proves it – and I am grateful to the WBC, BBBofC and UKAD for acknowledging this truth.” There are two problems with how this case was resolved: 1. Science did NOT prove the adverse
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