Amid several press reports regarding the results of anti-doping tests carried out on WBC/IBF/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in relation to his upcoming defense of his fight against Callum Smith, the WBC clarified the situation.
Two samples (one urine and one blood) collected on December 6, 2023 returned analytical “atypical findings” for 5b-androstandiol and hGH (human growth hormones). An atypical finding is not a positive result for a banned substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) defines an atypical finding as “a report from a laboratory or other WADA-approved entity that requires additional investigation…” That is exactly what the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), which is the entity that administers the WBC Clean Boxing Program, it did in this case.
In response to the atypical findings, VADA immediately ordered additional anti-doping tests on Beterbiev. To that end, VADA had samples collected from Beterbiev on December 15, 2023 (urine), December 21, 2023 (blood and urine), and then again on January 3, 2024 (blood). All of these samples returned absolutely negative results. Matchroom, Top Rank, the Quebec Commission, all the sanctioning bodies involved (WBC, IBF and WBO) and the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) received notifications of all the results of the anti-doping tests carried out on Beterbiev and, therefore, of all monitoring procedures.
It is well known that there is no way to conclusively identify the origin of an atypical finding. In the case of 5b-androstanediol, it has been reported that the atypical finding may be due to the rate at which the body of certain people metabolizes natural testosterone-type compounds. In the case of hGH, the WADA provides specific criteria to its accredited laboratories for reporting hGH levels as atypical or adverse findings. In Beterbiev’s case, the level of hGH detected did not meet the WADA criteria for being considered adverse and therefore constitutes an atypical finding.
Because the source of an atypical finding is very difficult to identify, the WADA recommends further testing to monitor any abnormal variations in testosterone levels. In Beterbiev’s case, follow-up tests were not only negative, but showed consistent levels of testosterone without any spikes that could have suggested exogenous ingestion of performance-enhancing substances. In summary, Beterbiev’s testing protocol and its results lead to only one conclusion: there are no adverse results. In light of the testing measures taken and all results obtained, the WBC has not and will not take any adverse action in this matter.
