By Matthew Hurley: Once again a boxer is under review for steroids. In the past two weeks steroids has run rampant around the sport and it’s becoming a wearisome topic. Now the interim heavyweight title fight between Samuel Peter and Jameel McCline on Saturday night is coming under review by boxing authorities in the commission after a report that McCline had received upwards of $12,000 worth of steroids and other related growth hormones in the last two years..
Ron Scott Stevens chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission recently said that the bout, to take place at Madison Square Garden, is in question and he will have further comments, and possibly a cancellation, later today. All of this must be terribly frustrating for Peter who was fighting McCline in the first place after champion Oleg Maskaev pulled out with an injury. Peter had fought two consecutive title elimination bouts against James Toney (who has also tested positive for steroids after two bouts, one against John Ruiz which cost him his victory over the defending champion), winning a split decision and then a clear cut unanimous decision, to position himself for a shot at the belt. When Maskaev pulled out the WBC mandated him to be the interim champion.
According to an anonymous tip provided to the New York Daily News it was reported that Infinity Longevity of Boca Raton, Florida, a clinic already surrounded in controversy, supplied the alleged drugs to McCline from March 2005 until December of 2006. They included stanozolol and nandrolone, along with growth hormones and what is called an “estrogen blocker” to prevent steroid abusers from developing female characteristics.
McCline has never tested positive before or after a bout. According to McCline’s manager Scott Hirsch he believes that McCline has never used performance enhancing drugs.
Yesterday former Contender boxer Joy Gilbert was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for six drugs. His case is still under investigation. Gilbert issued a statement maintaining his innocence.
McCline has yet to comment.