Why Random Steroid Testing Won't Work on a Wide Scale

[Mr. Ryan]

It all comes down to money.

Did you know, club fighters are not tested for performance enhancing drugs? Fighters are urine tested after fights and are only tested for recreational drugs (marijuana, heroin, *******, meth).

I know this is true atleast in NJ and NY where I attend most of my shows.

Hence the reason why we don't hear much about club fighters testing positive for PEDs. It's not because they aren't taking, because believe it there are some.

Testing for steroids, EPO and Human Growth Hormone is expensive, especially in comparison to recreational drug testing. One single steroid test could cost between $100 and $175. Testing for EPO and HGH is separate, about $400 each.

Say there are 8 fights on the card, 16 combatants and the tests run at $950; that's an additional $15,200 cost per show.

So who pays for it? The promoter? The promoter is losing money on most shows anyway. The commission? LOL fat chance. The fighter? Yeah, no.

This is just a single steroid test, which yeah, would go a long way towards "cleaning up the sport." But what about the WADA and USADA random testing? That runs much, much more expensive.

[cixthree]

It all comes down to money.

Did you know, club fighters are not tested for performance enhancing drugs? Fighters are urine tested after fights and are only tested for recreational drugs (marijuana, heroin, *******, meth).

I know this is true atleast in NJ and NY where I attend most of my shows.

Hence the reason why we don't hear much about club fighters testing positive for PEDs. It's not because they aren't taking, because believe it there are some.

Testing for steroids, EPO and Human Growth Hormone is expensive, especially in comparison to recreational drug testing. One single steroid test could cost between $100 and $175. Testing for EPO and HGH is separate, about $400 each.

Say there are 8 fights on the card, 16 combatants and the tests run at $950; that's an additional $15,200 cost per show.

So who pays for it? The promoter? The promoter is losing money on most shows anyway. The commission? LOL fat chance. The fighter? Yeah, no.

This is just a single steroid test, which yeah, would go a long way towards "cleaning up the sport." But what about the WADA and USADA random testing? That runs much, much more expensive.

Why not try to find a way to make it work, instead of trying make it not work?

I hav e a couple of ways it can possably work for starters.
1. Random blood and urine for major and title fights.
2. All fighters in the top 10 must submit before fights.

Sactioning bodies split the bill with the promoters.

[Mr. Ryan]

Why not try to find a way to make it work, instead of trying make it not work?

I hav e a couple of ways it can possably work for starters.
1. Random blood and urine for major and title fights.
2. All fighters in the top 10 must submit before fights.

Sactioning bodies split the bill with the promoters.

I'm talking about on the sport's lowest levels, the club shows. Promoters are complaining about having to pay for fighters' medicals, I could only imagine how much worse it'd be with PED testing.

Urine testing is required after all world title fights. Contenders submitting before fights could be more difficult. Say a fighter takes a fight in Montana, where there isn't a tough commission like Montana. He's ranked in the top 10 by the WBC but is fighting a guy who is 5-12.

Who administers the drug test? The state of Montana? Or does the WBC come out to this fight and administer it themselves?

I'm not educated on the sanctioning bodies' testing or their qualifications for detecting PEDs. With Pacquiao-Mayweather, all we've been discussing is the testing of an external agency and a commission.

[kadyo's]

Reason why statement of floyd that he wants to clean the sport is just for a show, truth is he wants to avoid pac.

[MaD RoBoT]

Reason why statement of floyd that he wants to clean the sport is just for a show, truth is he wants to avoid pac.

great post!

green me kuya

[cixthree]

I'm talking about on the sport's lowest levels, the club shows. Promoters are complaining about having to pay for fighters' medicals, I could only imagine how much worse it'd be with PED testing.

Urine testing is required after all world title fights. Contenders submitting before fights could be more difficult. Say a fighter takes a fight in Montana, where there isn't a tough commission like Montana. He's ranked in the top 10 by the WBC but is fighting a guy who is 5-12.

Who administers the drug test? The state of Montana? Or does the WBC come out to this fight and administer it themselves?

I'm not educated on the sanctioning bodies' testing or their qualifications for detecting PEDs. With Pacquiao-Mayweather, all we've been discussing is the testing of an external agency and a commission.

I get what you're saying, but this is what I'm saying.

It has to start somewhere, I'm sure we can agree with that statement. (I) believe it should start at the top, the elite level. I'm not talking the club and lower levels for now, but the major players in the game.
No I'm not say that the lower levels should be ignored, but let's be real. You said it in your post in a way, the money just ain't there in the lower levels for this type of program. So this is what/how I see it.

Boxing needs one agency, start at the elite level. Major, mega, title fights and fighters ranked top ten.
1. A fighter in the top ten fights a fighter not in top ten, the fighter not ranked also adheres to testing.

2. Fighting for a major title, both fighters adhere to testing.

3. Mega bouts with or without a title involed, catchweights ect.

To be honest, NSAC already has something in place for this. They reserve the rite to draw blood at any time, its in the contract that the fighters sign. NSAC is just not policing or emplamenting it.
So it can be done, I just think it should start on the elite level. Until boxing figures a more affordable way to get it done, I can start there.

[Hannibal Barca]

It already works on a wide scale. The Olympics.

[TheGreatA]

It's not going to work on clubfighting level but it might work on world championship level.

[IMDAZED]

It all comes down to money.

Did you know, club fighters are not tested for performance enhancing drugs? Fighters are urine tested after fights and are only tested for recreational drugs (marijuana, heroin, *******, meth).

I know this is true atleast in NJ and NY where I attend most of my shows.

Hence the reason why we don't hear much about club fighters testing positive for PEDs. It's not because they aren't taking, because believe it there are some.

Testing for steroids, EPO and Human Growth Hormone is expensive, especially in comparison to recreational drug testing. One single steroid test could cost between $100 and $175. Testing for EPO and HGH is separate, about $400 each.

Say there are 8 fights on the card, 16 combatants and the tests run at $950; that's an additional $15,200 cost per show.

So who pays for it? The promoter? The promoter is losing money on most shows anyway. The commission? LOL fat chance. The fighter? Yeah, no.

This is just a single steroid test, which yeah, would go a long way towards "cleaning up the sport." But what about the WADA and USADA random testing? That runs much, much more expensive.

This is sad but true and even worse is that it's the same reason why we get low-grade testing today. Most states don't even bother testing for steroids. And besides, why is the promoter going to pay for it when he knows or might know that one of his fighters is juicing? And nearly every card is paid for by the promoter - everyone involved, etc.

I agree with Great A that it certainly can be done on a championship level. I also think it may take some outside forces (HBO? Showtime?) because no commission is going to be willing to make that change and risk alienating promoters who will take their fighters to another state where they won't be tested. That's just the way it goes.

[Pullcounter]

Reason why statement of floyd that he wants to clean the sport is just for a show, truth is he wants to avoid pac.

exactly, floyd is using the issue to duck pac. that is all that is