French challenger Bruno Surace remarked that Jaime Munguia’s second failed drug test emerges with “disappointment, not celebration,” and takes away the sporting integrity of their May 4 Riyadh rematch. The 26-year-old suffered a loss on the cards that night, six months after he shocked the Mexican in Tijuana, but Munguía’s confirmed presence of exogenous testosterone now leaves the outcome on the verge of a No-Contest pending a ruling from the British Boxing Board of Control.
Surace broke his silence in a statement on social media, and said he consented to the rematch “to prove the first win was not a fluke.” He outlined a brutal training camp while keeping his family and friends at a distance only to find his opponent “took a different road.” He said while he has long-time respect for Munguía, the situation is now “tragic for those who fight cleanly” and rightfully asked the BBBofC to apply a sanction to match the damage done.
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For Munguia, 45-2 (35 KOs), if the hearing takes place, there could be suspension, fines and permanent stain on his preparation making a return toward title contention under trainer Eddy Reynoso. The champion-turned-chasee will find himself under a regulatory environment far more strict than many U.S. commissions have, where a strict-liability law puts the burden falling on the athlete and removing intent.
For Surace, now 26-1-2 (5 KOs) his unbeaten record will likely be returned and hopefully he can regain his top-ten, but he said paperwork does not replace the time and opportunity lost over the months. “I didn’t give up everything to have the record annulled,” he said and included that he’ll be back “for everyone who believes in fair boxing.”
While the sport waits on the BBBofC to do right, one thing has already been confirmed: a rematch hoping to put this question to bed, is instead deeping doubts about clean competition at the highest level.
Image Credit: Top Rank