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Drug tests and interference- Hogan controversy hits new levels

As if things were not controversial enough the WBO have now confirmed that Jaime Munguia wasn’t drug tested after his already controversial win over Dennis Hogan.

Team Hogan have been left licking wounds that were inflicted by bizarre judging in his WBO light middleweight world title challenge last weekend, but salt has now been poured over cuts that remain open as it has been confirmed the Mexican wasn’t tested after the world title fight.

In fairness to Munguia the WBO don’t have a ‘mandatory’ policy when he comes to world title fight drug testing, but it is encouraged and they do all but expect the local commission to test each fighter when their most prestigious titles are challenged for.

Speaking to Yahoo Sport’s Kevin Iole today the governing body confirmed  that controversial winner of the fight Munguia nor unlucky challenger Hogan were tested post the world title fight. 

WBO President Paco Valcárcel explained ‘testing should have been done’ and was expected to take place, but placed blame at the feet of the local commission. 

The President also confirmed that the lack of drug testing is not grounds for a rematch to be ordered. 

.“There was supposed to be testing,” he said. “But the lab didn’t show up.

“We have to presume the guy [Munguia] was clean. He has no history of any issues. The testing should have been done, but the lab didn’t show up, so there was nothing that could be done.”

On a more positive note, the governing body will deploy an independent panel to review the fight scoring upon receiving a complaint from Hogan’s promoters DDP. If the independent panel of judges draw the same conclusion as the majority that watched the fight and rule the scoring wasn’t a fair reflection of the fight a rematch could be ordered.

If the rematch is ordered there is no doubt Hogan, who admirably wants a return with Munguia rather than fight for a vacant title if the giant light middle moves up, won’t want to return to Mexico.

His team, who were full of praise for the local people and indeed for the fight promoters, have become disturbed by a video shot by a fan that has become public today.

The footage shows Beltrán and Zanfer employee Juan Carlos Torres hovering near the commission table, right behind WBO supervisor Geno Rodriguez, who kept charge of the scorecards.

A member of Hogan’s entourage shared the video with Irish-boxing.com and revealed the Kildare fighters Team believe the scores were witnessed by the shows promoters and relayed back to Munguia’s team.

 

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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