Boxing star Claressa Shields is being investigated over ‘failed drug test’ as irate fans rush to her defense
The WBO is investigating boxing star Claressa Shields after the multi-division champion tested positive for Marijuana after her win over Daniele Perkins earlier this month.
Shields’ victory over Perkins in front of a home-fan-packed Dort Financial Centre in Flint, Michigan, made her the first female boxer to attain undisputed status in three divisions.
However, the results of the investigation may determine how long the accolades hold.
Despite a dominant performance at home, Shields became the topic of discussion this week after reporter Rick Glaser posted that she ‘reputedly failed a drug test for her most recent fight, rumored to be a PED test.’
Shields did not take the accusations lightly, as she called out the insider about his claim.
Furthermore, Glaser’s report, though not sourced, was rebutted when Victor Conte posted about the subject on February 13.
Claressa Shields is being investigated for a failed drug test after defeating Daniele Perkins
Her win made Shields the first female fighter to attain undisputed status in three divisions
‘IMPORTANT NOTICE TO BOXING: @ClaressaShields did not test positive for a PED after her recent fight in Michigan. Claressa had not smoked marijuana, however, the commission did a mouth swab test after the fight. There seems to be a number of issues that exist with the Michigan testing procedure. Urine is the normal sample used to test for marijuana. Most credible anti-doping entities do not consider marijuana to be a PED.
‘VADA found no PEDs in Claressa’s blood and urine samples. The Nevada commission, the UFC and other commissions do not consider marijuana a PED. The amount found in her mouth swab was 3.4 ng/ml or parts per billion. This is an ultra-trace amount that likely would have come from second-hand smoke in the arena. There were also other irregularities that occurred in the testing procedure. The world of boxing needs to clearly understand that Claressa is a clean boxer and always has been. More information about this rather unusual case will become available soon,’ posted the BALCO laboratories co-founder.
A source confirmed to DailyMail.com that the test resulted from second-hand cannabis smoke.
As the the investigation surfaced, fans came to Shields’ defense as she gears up for a bout with the athletic commission.
‘If she’s beating these women while being high on weed.. that’s pretty impressive i would say,’ one user joked on X.
‘Puffing the Cali before winning her fight….fair play to her,’ another commented.
‘Oscar Valdez popped hot for steroids was still allowed to fight and his win counted,’ a third pointed out. ‘Wtf they investigating traces of weed for?’
‘Some bulls*** it’s in no way performance enhancing,’ chimed in a fourth.
‘Weed? Dawg if anything it’s even more impressive she’s high while fighting cause when I smoke I can’t function for s*** I don’t even like Claressa but come on,’ a fifth claimed.
A source told DailyMail.com that the result of the drug test came from second-hand smoke
UFC legend Nick Diaz was previously handed a five-year ban after testing positive for cannabis
In a statement, the WBO claimed that ‘the presence of the aforementioned substance establishes that Ms. Shields conducted herself in a manner that compromises the integrity of the sport of professional boxing and the safety of professional boxers, to the detriment of the public interest.’
One of the more infamous instances involving combat sports and cannabis happened in the UFC when the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended fan favorite Nick Diaz for five years and fined him $165,000.
After his camp disputed the verdict, Diaz Ban was shortened to 18 months as the fine was lowered to $100,000.
Apart from her 3-1 record in MMA, Shields holds a flawless 16-0 boxing tally with three knockouts.
However, the result of the investigation may be costly for the 29-year-old superstar.
