Canelo Alvarez to make return on September 15 after six-month ban for two failed drug tests
Mexican insists he did not knowingly ingest banned substance clenbuterol that led to his rematch on May 5 against Golovkin getting called off
CANELO ALVAREZ will return to the boxing ring on September 15 after his six-month ban for failing two drugs tests has ended.
Just an hour after the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to extend Canelo's suspension, his team said that he will be ready to fight the weekend of Mexican Independence Day
The middleweight, 27, twice tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol after giving samples on February 17 and February 20.
He claimed it was a result of eating contaminated meat, and went on to pass two drugs tests ahead of his rematch against Golovkin.
But with the hearing date into the failed samples coming too close to the fight date of May 5, Canelo was forced to withdraw from the fight.
But the plan is to get him back out into the squared circle on the third weekend in September.
A statement from Golden Boy Promotions read: “As we have maintained all along the trace amounts of clenbuterol found in Canelo’s system in February came from meat contamination, and we provided the Nevada State Athletic Commission with a great deal of evidence to support those facts.
"Although most professional sports, international anti-doping agencies and United States boxing commissions treat meat contamination differently from other positive tests, Nevada does not.
CAN CANNED Canelo banned for six months for positive drugs test
“Canelo and Golden Boy Promotions respect the rules of Nevada and are therefore satisfied with the settlement agreement reached today.
"Canelo looks forward to returning to the ring in September for Mexican Independence Day weekend to represent Mexico and boxing in what will be the sport's biggest event of the year.
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What is Clenbuterol?
In the UK, clenbuterol is classified as a Class C drug.
Clenbuterol is used by sufferers of breathing disorders, such as asthma, but is illegal to buy or sell without a prescription.
It has become a popular drug for bodybuilders looking to cut weight quickly - that is because it increases metabolism for those who take it.
Like Salbutemol, clenbuterol also works by dilating the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs, although its effects are more potent and longer lasting.
In the European Union, clenbuterol is not allowed to be given to any animals that will be consumed by humans, although those rules do not apply to countries outside of Europe.
It is on the WADA banned list.
Cyclist Alberto Contador (pictured) tested positive for the drug and was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title as a result.
Mexican boxer Erik Morales was banned for two years after testing positive.
Earlier this year, British Olympic sprinter Nigel Levine was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the drug.
";He is ready to continue his remarkable record of fighting at the highest level.
Canelo has a 49-1-2 record.
Clenbuterol is used by athletes as a fat-burner, and has been used in bodybuilding and cycling among other sports.
The substance is used in the Mexican meat trade, however, where the food regulations are less strict than in the US and the UK.
Last year, Canelo and Golovkin’s first fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ended in a controversial draw.