In sports, once a name of a player is tainted; his reputation will always be doubted.  This is the case that happened between Super Judah and Sugar Shane just before they faced each other inside the ring. The Associated Press (AP) reported that Zab Judah requested Shane Mosley to undergo a drug test to ensure that he is no longer using any form of illegal drugs. Judah wants Mosley to undergo into blood testing to ensure that he will not be cheated on their welterweight fight.

Judah announced during a news conference that he is requesting Mosley to agree for both of them to submit to drug testing. Right before the fight and right after the fight.

“I think it was because of the enhanced drug that Mosley has taken in the past that I want it done before and after the fight,” Judah said to AP. “I want it done now. But Mosley is a smart guy, he is not going to do take drugs right before the fight,” he added.

Mosley responded though that he is prepared to do it at any given time; provided that both of them will undergo the testing. “We can test every week or whatever, as long as they test him as well. Not just for steroids, but also for other drugs,” Mosley said.

The doubt on the part of Judah can actually be viewed as acceptable because Mosley had been tested positive for steroid before his bout against Oscar De La Hoya last 2003—tarnishing his name. Although, Mosley clarified that his involvement to steroid before was just accidental. To prove this, he then agreed to Judah’s request as what was mentioned in the report. However, the promoters of Mosley refused to go that far according to AP.

This issue was further clarified in the story that was published by Box News wherein the statement of Michael Shinefield, Judah’s promoter, was featured. According to him, he sent an email to Golden Boy Promotions requesting Mosley to have a private blood test.

“We would be willing to absorb all cost associated with this test for both fighters,” Shinefield wrote in his email.”Please understand that this ends any and all speculation of doping by either fighter. With the fight being touted as ‘High Stakes,’ it’s only just that every step is taken to ensure a fair fight. We hope Shane agrees.”

However, Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy chief executive, said that Mosley will only take the test that will be asked by the Nevada Athletic Commission. “Whatever tests they want them to take, Shane will submit to that. We are not going to do other tests than the Nevada Comission requires,” he stressed. “Shane is not a cheater and he does not need to be treated like one,” he added. AP report though stated that the Nevada commission only requires urine testing for fighters right after bouts; they never require any blood tests. Drug experts also doubted if blood tests are more reliable as compared to urine tests in detecting banned drugs. 

This was cleared by Keith Kizer, an executive director of the Nevada athletic Commission, by saying during a telephone interview that: “We only do urine tests. Our inspectors collect urine from the fighters on first night. Our inspectors are not qualified or licensed to perform blood extraction. If they want to do any other type of test, that’s up to them, they are free to do that.” Apparently, doubt is the most constant consequence faced by professional players when they involve themselves to steroid use.

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