Saul “Canelo” Alvarez received a six-month ban from the Nevada Athletic Commission on Wednesday, clearing a path for him to reschedule his rematch with Gennady Golovkin for later this year.
Alvarez was due to fight Golovkin a second time in Las Vegas on May 5 in what was one of the most-anticipated bouts of the year, but was suspended after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol.
The Mexican claimed the positive test was as a result of eating tainted meat in his homeland, but was heavily criticized by Golovkin, who accused him of being a long-term doper.
Alvarez’s ban will be backdated to Feb. 17, the date of his positive test, meaning that he could fight Golovkin in the middle of September, a prized Vegas time period for boxing cards. Nevada regulations stipulate a one-year suspension for such offences, but allow for a reduction to six months for first-time offenders.
"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," Golden Boy Promotions said in a statement. "He is ready to continue his remarkable record of fighting at the highest level."
Golovkin will still fight on May 5, taking on unheralded Vanes Martirosyan at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
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In September last year, Alvarez and Golovkin fought to an entertaining but controversial draw at the T-Mobile Arena, with one judge, Adalaide Byrd, bizarrely giving Alvarez the fight by a margin of 118-110.
The clash was for Golovkin’s world middleweight titles and both fighters know that competing against each other provides the potential for paydays far bigger than from any other opponent.
Alvarez, a former two-division world champion, underwent knee surgery last week, and did not attend the Nevada hearing. However, the commission heard that he had provided an appropriate level of co-operation, which was taken into account for the ruling, which was unanimously agreed upon by the five-member panel.
Golovkin is not expected to be troubled by Martirosyan, who on paper at least, appears to be overmatched. Provided Golovkin, from Kazakhstan, emerges unscathed, a four-month preparation window for a September rematch would fit neatly into the schedule.
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