How Can We Tackle PEDs In Boxing?

Jaime Munguia’s failed VADA test for testosterone metabolites raises questions about how to tackle PED usage in boxing. 

Reports indicate that Munguia’s urine sample showed the presence of the substance, the news of which emerged after his win over Bruno Surace. The victory avenged his knockout loss in the first fight, which will now likely be overturned. Munguia has ten days from the news to request his B-sample as fans await what could happen. Here are some ways to put this issue to bed. 

Boxers could be forced to serve lifetime bans. This zero-tolerance policy to the sport would go down well since a punch can change the life of a fighter forever. There are numerous examples of boxers suffering from CTE later on in their careers, whilst there have also been incidents where boxers have unfortunately died in the aftermath of a fight. However, the problem with this is that perhaps it may punish fighters who have genuinely suffered from a contaminated substance that they have not been aware of. 

Alternatives

The alternative is to punish those around the boxer. Boxers often have a big team consisting of strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists and a variety of trainers. If everybody in the camp was penalized, it would increase the incentive on all those around the fighter to do everything in their power to ensure that their boxer is not breaking any rules. 

Another option is that fighters are forced to forfeit their purse and give it to their opponent. This is one way that could prevent such scandals, given that fighters are lucky if they box twice a year. Boxing is a sport where there are very few other alternatives to earn outside of it unless you are one of the biggest names in the sport who can command massive sponsorship deals. 

There is also the argument that boxers should face some jail time. This is arguably an extreme measure. However, if a fighter goes into the ring and causes harm to another person while he is on banned substances, then that could be grounds for battery, or even worse if the damage is intense. The debate will linger on, as boxing struggles to root out this problem.