The rising young boxer from Johannesburg, Jared “The Storm” Lovett suffered a double knockdown when he was defeated by Tommy Oosthuizen for the IBO light heavyweight youth title and returning a positive test for steroids after the match. The promoter, Golden Gloves, and his trainer were shocked on the result of the test since they were not expecting that Lovett is a steroid user. The South African Institute for Drug Free Sport announced last week that the A Sample of 21-year-old Lovett showed that he had used a steroid specifically Stanozolol. This steroid helps in the development of muscles.

The match which took place in the Emperors Palace went on to 12 rounds but won by Oosthuizen on a split decision. Boxing SA was not happy with the news since Lovett was one of their best prospects last year. Peter Ngatane, chairperson of Boxing SA, said that any winner of their award should be a role model to the sport and up-and-coming athletes. Since the test can be refuted and Lovett can require for the testing of his B sample, Ngatane still assumed that he is innocent until a disciplinary hearing is conducted and the confirmatory test for Stanozolol is released. Ngatane also said that they always discourage fighters from taking any drugs. “Drug- free sport is needed in order to make sure that sporting personalities perform according to their own ability,” he added.

The trainer of Lovett, Colin Nathan was shocked when he heard the news from the Drug-Free Sport. Nathan said that it will created controversy and may affect his other fighters. “Our gym does not promote any use of drugs. But I must say that all my 15 fighters are entitled to their private lives. I can’t be with them all the time,” he said. He added that every fighter has an obligation in his gym to look after themselves and to act like an athlete within the professional code of boxing.

Jared Lovett is not new to controversy. He was involved last year in a melee and was found guilty of disruptive behavior at an amateur boxing event without provocation. He was given one year suspension by Boxing SA. He can still continue to fight but he must not be involved in a similar offense within that period. Another incident in May also involved the boxer including his father and other boxers for allegedly assaulting elderly people with steel chairs at a restaurant in Johannesburg. The case is still pending.

In an interview by sportswriters, Nathan said that Lovett is a good kid and trains hard but this has hit him hard and is totally out of the blue. “I haven’t spoken to him and I don’t know what to say to him. I don’t know if a re-test would help as you know how the result of the A sample is usually the same as the B sample. You can’t beat the system,” Nathan said. He believes that his ward can cope up with the steroid mess he is into right now. “I have other fighters to worry about and I have to care about their welfare.”

Rodney Berman, head of Golden Gloves promotions, said that showed a good fight against Tommy but it became a human tragedy which he compares to what happened to Mike Tyson. “The worry about good boxers self-destructing is something we all have to live with,” he said. Berman told the press that they already handed the case to Boxing South Africa for proper proceedings and the possible sanctions that could be imposed to Lovett’s steroid use. He’s just hoping that Lovett would come out of the situation as a better person.

“I’ve seen a lot of fighters in my time, Charlie Weir and others. I thought Jared and Tommy would become one of the great rivalries of all time in South African boxing. That seems like it will never be, which is a travesty for all boxing fans. I can only wish Jared and his family the best. I don’t know what else to say,” Berman said.

Based on the report of Bongani Magasela of Sowetan, there were already a handful of boxers who have failed drug tests in the past. These are Lucky Lewele, Nkqubela Gwazela, Gabula Vabaza, Patrick and Vus’Umuzi Malinga. The heaviest penalties so far were imposed on boxers Vus’Umuzi and Patrick for using performance enhancing drugs. They were sanctioned for 2 years each.

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