Oscar Valdez wants the boxing world to know he is no cheater after traces of phentermine showed up in the A-sample from a recent drug test. Phentermine is a central nervous system stimulant disallowed by the WBC. The test result puts the status of Valdez´s scheduled 130-pound title defense against Robson Conceicao on September 10 in jeopardy.
The WBC will hold a videoconference meeting on Wednesday to discuss what will happen next for Valdez and the scheduled boxing match. Meeting participants will include officials for Top Rank Boxing and an attorney for Valdez. A representative for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission will also take part in the meeting.
The WBC´s Clean Boxing Program outsources testing to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency. Victor Conte is the VADA founder and says he possesses an intimate knowledge of phentermine and its benefits to athletes.
“I know what it does,” Conte explains that he gave phentermine to athletes in the past. Conte says the drug accelerates the heart rate and provides energy to users. “It gives you stamina. Training time would be much longer.”
Fighters receive a list of banned substances when they agree to become subject to VADA program rules. Phentermine appears on the list.
The Valdez camp maintains their fighter did not intentionally consume a banned substance. A written letter from a Valdez team member claims Valdez unknowingly ingested the drug while drinking herbal tea.
“It`s absolutely nothing,” Bob Arum is a promoter for Oscar Valdez and disagrees with Conte. “It´s not a PED.” Arum went on to say, “he took herbal tea because he wanted to stop drinking coffee.”
Victor Conte is not buying Arum´s explanation. He characterizes the words of the veteran promoter as “dog ate my homework stuff.” Conte explains phentermine is not an herbal tea and is not an ingredient of any known supplements. The VADA founder also points out the drug is only legal with a prescription from a doctor.