Jean Pascal tests positive for a fourth banned substance, EPO

Jean Pascal, who already had examined constructive for 3 banned substances in random Voluntary Anti-Doping Affiliation-administered assessments, has examined constructive for a fourth one in a check outcome that was returned on Wednesday night time with the camps being notified of the outcomes on Thursday.

Pascal examined constructive for the banned performance-enhancing drug erythropoietin, which is healthier often known as EPO, a supply with direct information of the check outcomes instructed The Ring.

Pascal offered samples to VADA on Might 14 and that check outcome was the one returned on Wednesday night time, in keeping with the supply. EPO, which might solely be administered by way of injection, is for blood doping and to extend oxygen carrying capability by growing an individual’s variety of pink blood cells – as was the case for disgraced biking star Lance Armstrong.

Final week, Pascal had check outcomes come again constructive from samples offered on Might 14 and Might 17. They have been constructive for a trio of banned substances – Drostanolone, Drostanolone metabolite and Epitrenbolone. The constructive check outcomes induced Pascal’s secondary mild heavyweight world title protection towards former two-division world titlist Badou Jack to be canceled.

Check outcomes for EPO, which has a brief window for detection, take longer to get than for outcomes for the opposite substances Pascal was constructive for. That’s the reason these different outcomes have been returned ahead of the one for EPO.

Pascal has the best to have his B pattern examined at his personal expense, but when it have been to come back again with a unique outcome than the constructive A pattern it might be a particularly uncommon flip of occasions.

Pascal was slated to defend his secondary 175-pound belt in a rematch towards Jack within the co-feature of the Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul exhibition bout that may prime a Showtime PPV card on Sunday night time at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Pascal (35-6-1, 20 KOs), 38, of Montreal, received a cut up choice towards Jack (23-3-3, 13 KOs), 37, of Las Vegas, in an all-action battle in December 2019 in Atlanta. With Pascal out, Jack will as a substitute face late alternative Dervin Colina (15-0, 13 KOs), 33, of Venezuela, on Sunday night time.

After the check outcomes got here again constructive for the primary three banned substances final week, Pascal claimed he had not knowingly taken any.

“I’m shocked and embarrassed. I might by no means voluntarily take unlawful substances,” Pascal stated in a press release posted to social media. “I’ve at all times fought for a clear sport and can proceed to take action. I’m one of many first trendy boxers to insist on random testing and I’ve handed numerous assessments throughout my 13 years on the highest stage of boxing. I wish to guarantee all my followers that that is an remoted incident and I’m keen to do no matter it takes to show it.”

Pascal additionally claimed he had fired a energy and conditioning coach, who he didn’t establish, on Friday night time.

After the primary set of outcomes got here to mild, Jack stated he suspected Pascal had been soiled for his or her first battle.

“We suspected he was soiled the primary time round and VADA confirmed it this time,” Jack wrote on Twitter.