In a stunning revelation, Dominican southpaw and WBA super lightweight titleholder faces the potential loss of his title after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Associatio’'s test results have cast a shadow over the 28-year-old Puello’s boxing career and removed him from a highly anticipated title defense.
Originally, the undefeated Puello (21-0, 10 KOs) was scheduled to defend his WBA 140-pound championship against Rolando “Rolly” Romero in a “Showtime Championship Boxing” tripleheader at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on May 13. With Puello’s withdrawal, the boxing landscape has shifted dramatically, paving the way for Romero to face a new contender.
Romero (14-1, 12 KOs), a North Las Vegas native, will now battle Ismael Barroso for the WBA’s interim super lightweight title. The Premier Boxing Champions’ main event on Showtime next month promises an exciting contest between these two powerhouses. Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs), a 40-year-old contender from Venezuela, stands as the mandatory challenger for the WBA’s 140-pound crown.
As Puello faces the appeals process, the boxing world anxiously awaits the outcome. Should his “B” sample also test positive for Clomiphene, the WBA belt he won just eight months ago will be stripped, leaving his career’s future uncertain.
Image Credit: Showtime