Jaime Munguia has failed a drug test according to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, with VADA noting there had been an adverse finding from the Mexican fighter’s urine A-sample which came back with results for testosterone metabolites ― which are strictly prohibited according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (VADA). The test stems from Munguia’s May 3rd rematch, held on a Riyadh Season card, against Bruno Surace which he won by unanimous decision.

The regular denial, with no fighter in the past two decades having ever admitted to actually using PEDs, followed from Jaime Munguia (45-2, 35 KO’s) who put out a statement on social media firmly denying he had intentionally used PEDs:

“Throughout my boxing career, I have gone numerous anti-doping tests and have never tested positive,” Munguia’s official statement on social media reads.

“I was tested twice during this camp, and both results came back negative, which is why receiving this notification of an adverse finding has been a complete surprise to me.

“Several experts have explained that there are multiple ways contamination can occur, and I am fully willing to undergo any retroactive, current, or future testing to demonstrate I have always been a clean athlete.

“I will not make any further comments on the matter until the the process is concluded with the results of the B-sample.“

It’s the same old story used by almost every single fighter that tested positive. Claims of tests or samples being contaminated, of them having been clean athletes up until the adverse testing, of them not being liable for any wrongdoing.

Usually, the B-sample that will be tested after ― used to help determine whether the initial tests were correct ― comes back with the same result as the first, after which the fighter continues to deny their wrongdoing and remain quiet for the duration of the suspension that will follow.

Fact of the matter is, Munguia’s A-sample came back positive and if the B-sample shows the same results, it verifies there had been illegal substances used.

Those positive tests speak for themselves, despite what the fighter maintains ― which is never a case of admittance, as that carries much harsher consequences than outright denial. This has been the standard in boxing for a long time; denial, denial, denial, and when the suspension comes back, make no mention of the failed test.

Other stakeholders in the sport will usually be glad to ignore there had been a failed test and a suspension in the first place, as evident when Ryan Garcia received a headlining spot roughly a month after his own suspension cleared while Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KO’s) likely received his highest payday during his April 26th bout versus Chris Eubank Jr. after his own stained past was largely overlooked and ignored. Both fighters notably made a resurgence on The Ring-sponsored [or promoted, though The Ring is not allowed to function as an official boxing promotion] cards.

Munguia’s last opponent, French super middleweight (168 lbs) contender Bruno Surace (26-1-2, 5 KO’s), responded to the failed test, making it clear under no uncertain terms that his previous loss had to be overturned:

“I’m shocked that Jaime Munguia tested positive for a banned substance,” Surace told The Ring in a recent interview.

“There’s no place for boxing in cheating; the sport is dangerous enough already. I went to Mexico and knocked out Munguia fair and square in December and I was gracious enough to give him a rematch in May.

“He knew he could not beat me on a level playing field. I trust that this result will be overturned immediately.“

It will be curious to see how The Ring will handle this situation, given Munguia’s positive test occurred after one of their own promoted/sponsored shows. The media outlet is expected to rely on the relevant institutions in boxing to handle Munguia’s punishment. Based on the fact both Garcia and Benn seemed to largely benefit from their own failed tests, it is likely Munguia’s transgressions will be largely ignored after his impending suspension ― which can last up until May of next year if his B-sample comes in positive.