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Canelo is not a legendary boxer for one controversial reason claims British middleweight
British middleweight Gerome Warburton does not consider boxing legend and former undisputed super middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez as one of the world's best after testing positive for PEDs in 2018.
This opinion was stated when reacting to the news of WBO and IBF middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly failing a VADA test ahead of his next fight against WBA champion Erislandy Lara on Saturday night.
The eagerly-awaited unification clash was set to take place at San Antonio's Frost Bank Center on a fight card headlined by the WBC interim super lightweight title bout between Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz and Lamont Roach.
'You're wrecking people's careers' - Gerome Warburton reacts to Janibek Alimkhanuly positive test
While Warburton is focusing on preparing for his clash with former British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney on January 24, exclusively live on DAZN, he had a keen eye on Alimkhanuly vs. Lara and the effects the result could have on the rest of the division.
Warburton may not be highly ranked with any of the four governing bodies, but a win over Heaney could be the start of a journey towards a world title shot.
Reflecting on the news of Alimkhanuly's positive PED test, Warburton had sympathy for Lara who had undergone a full camp for what was set to be one of, if not the biggest fight of his career to date.
"I just think something needs to be done. Obviously, if he’s not done it, or if he has done it, it’s becoming a much more frequent thing at this time in boxing," Warburton told DAZN News.
"They found it before he was due to fight, not after. Lara has done a full camp, testing is something that does need to happen a lot more.
"You’re wrecking people’s careers as well, someone could get seriously hurt, someone could die. You’re putting someone’s life at risk, I don’t think people consider that when doing these things, how dangerous it can be."
A replacement opponent has since been found with Lara set to face Johan Gonzalez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan who beat former unified champion light middleweight champion Jarrett Hurd by split decision in March.
Canelo is not a top boxer because he's been caught, says Warburton
When asked about the punishment fighters should receive if they test positive for PEDs, it was a simple answer for Warburton.
"Never box again. You should never be able to box again," he said. "You broke one of the main rules in boxing.
Then came Warburton's controversial verdict on Canelo Alvarez's career.
"Canelo, I will never rate him as one of the top boxers in the world because he’s been caught.
"If you murder someone on the street, you’re jailed for life. If you murder someone in the ring, technically you are not going to get in trouble. If you are found with PEDs, then it’s almost like manslaughter."
Alvarez tested positive for banned substance Clenbuterol on two separate occasions in February 2018.
The Mexican was handed a six-month ban as a result, and claimed the positive Clenbuterol test was a result of having eaten contaminated meat.
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