World titleholder Vargas tests positive for steriod

9:29 PM ET

Junior lightweight world titleholder Francisco Vargas has tested positive for the banned steroid clenbuterol, which puts his title and first defense in jeopardy.

Vargas is due to face former titleholder and Mexican countryman Orlando Salido on June 4 in a highly anticipated fight scheduled to headline an HBO-televised doubleheader at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

However, the results of an April 21 test conducted by the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, the testing agency Vargas requested handle the bout, came back positive for clenbuterol, a steroid that boosts metabolism and burns fat.

Golden Boy Promotions, Vargas’ promoter, issued a statement Thursday admitting to the positive test but proclaiming Vargas innocent of knowingly taking the substance.

“As part of a voluntary testing program that Francisco Vargas requested ahead of his June 4 fight, he tested positive for clenbuterol,” the statement said. “Francisco believes he tested positive due to ingesting contaminated meat in Mexico, where clenbuterol is commonly used by ranchers in livestock feed.

“Francisco has, is and will always be a clean fighter. That is why he insisted on this voluntary testing program ahead of the first defense of his WBC championship. He previously tested clean as part of this same voluntary testing regiment and in all of his previous fights.”

Golden Boy cited a recent Associated Press report in which Mexico’s national sports commission said coaches of the national teams are paying close attention to the meat the athletes eat to make sure they don’t ingest clenbuterol ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this summer.

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