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Ruiz
petitions WBA for random steroid testing
LAS VEGAS (October 24, 2005) - The World Boxing Association's 84th
annual convention is next week (October 31-November 5) in South Korea
and WBA heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz is petitioning the
organization to mandate random testing for performance enhancing drugs
and to maintain the current two-year bam from WBA ratings for any boxer
who violates the drug rules.
Reinstated as WBA champ after James Toney tested positive for violating
performance enhancement drug rules after their April 30 title fight,
Ruiz has publicly called for a stricter drug policy in boxing and he's
frustrated that no action has been seriously discussed, never mind
taken.
"Nobody in boxing seems to care or they'd be tougher tests," Ruiz said.
"I'm asking the WBA to rule random testing, at the very least, for all
world title fights. Fighters are taking steroids and getting away with
it. It's very dangerous. Steroids make fighters stronger and quicker;
allow them to workout harder, longer, and comeback from injuries much
quicker. It's so easy to take steroids and get away with it because we
know when we'll be tested (immediately before and after fights). There's
no random testing in boxing.
"Other sports have addressed steroid problems. Boxers risk their lives
every time they go into the ring. A fighter taking steroids is going to
kill an opponent someday. I only hope it doesn't take a tragedy for the
WBA to make a change in its policy."
"The Quietman" has called for random drug testing anytime between the
announcement of a fight right up until the day of the event in order to
prevent the use of anabolic androgenic steroids and other banned
performance enhancing substances.
Ruiz is the first and only world heavyweight champion of Hispanic
heritage. He has beaten former world champions Evander Holyfield, Hasim
Rahman and Tony Tucker, as well as top 10 contenders Andrew Golota, Fres
Oquendo and Kirk Johnson.
