Riyadh Seasons US debut is another success after positive EPO test

Riyadh Season suffered another setback in its debut in the USA when a participant in the program tested positive for EPO with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency.

According to media reports, the news followed reported losses in the millions of dollars at pay-per-view as sales did not develop as expected.

Another blow to the stomach: On August 23, VADA sent a letter to all organizers involved, pointing out that Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez – the opponent of Steve “So Cold” Nelson – had reported an analysis finding for blood doping.

SELA, the organizers who organized the event together with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, were all individually named on the document. The heading was “VADA Negative Analysis Result – Recombinant EPO Detected” and was addressed to all parties involved.

They added: “Blood sample “A” No. 8014310, collected on August 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California from Mr. Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez, was analyzed for anabolic steroids, diuretics, beta-2 agonists, metabolic modulators, GHRP, stimulants, drugs, hormones and similar substances. The results of the analysis are as follows: Adverse analytical finding: recombinant EPO detected.

“Mr Vazquez Rodriguez has the right to immediately [within ten days] request an analysis of the “B” samples at its own expense. Please note that VADA does not decide on results or determine whether sanctions are appropriate. As with all results, negative results will be reported to the relevant commissions and organizations that can make such decisions.”

The negative findings, signed by Margaret Goodman of VADA, underline the sport's ongoing problems.

Nelson, who was fighting an opponent with proven EPO, did not seem fazed after knocking out Rodriguez in five rounds.

“My opponent cheated and still got beaten up. A big compliment to the VADA, which keeps exposing these corrupt athletes,” explained the American.

Calls to conduct tests a week before competitions and then rush them before fights have been around for years. Due to the time and cost involved, no pharmaceutical company seems able to meet this demand.

Boxers are constantly put in a situation where they face opponents who could have anything in their blood that is only discovered after the fight. Moreover, the first step to solving this crisis would be to deprive anyone who dopes of the opportunity to make a living from the sport.

The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay. Learn more, read all articles from the experienced boxing journalist and follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.