‘I did not cheat’ – Canelo Alvarez’s ex-rival releases first statement after being cleared of failed drug test

Jaime Munguia has been cleared of all wrongdoing relating to a failed drug test following his win over Bruno Surace in May.

A urine sample taken from Munguia on May 4, one day after the rematch, returned an adverse analytical finding for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites.

Getty

However, the WBC, British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) and United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) all determined that the former WBO super welterweight champion had unintentionally ingested the banned substance.

A report from the WBC stated that “the initial positive result was caused by contaminated dietary supplements”.

As a result, Munguia will not face any sanctions, while his victory over Surace will stand.

Munguia had maintained his innocence throughout the process and felt vindicated when his name was cleared on Tuesday.

Reacting to the news as it broke, Munguia wrote: “I want to thank the WBC for reviewing the complete scientific evidence and confirming there will be no investigation, charge, or sanction.

“We’ve been notified by The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) that they appointed UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) as the body responsible for anti-doping regulation, testing, investigation and results management, and after their review of the full record, they reached the same conclusion.

“I did not cheat — the science proves it — and I am grateful to the WBC, BBBofC, and UKAD for acknowledging this truth…

“I am ready to put it behind me and move forward with my career.

“I look forward to returning to the ring soon, and I deeply appreciate everyone — especially my family, team, fans and sponsors — who stood by me through this ordeal.”

What happened in the two Jaime Munguia vs Bruno Surace fights?

Surace stunned the boxing world last December when he overcame seemingly insurmountable 12/1 odds to knock out Munguia in the sixth round in the 28-year-old’s hometown of Tijuana, Mexico.

AFP

It marked only the second defeat of Munguia’s 45-2 career after his unanimous decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in May 2024.

The shocking upset derailed plans for the Mexican to face fellow top-rated contender Christian Mbilli in a WBC interim super middleweight clash.

Instead, a rematch was made five months later in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the Canelo vs William Scull undercard.

The second time around, Munguia exacted his revenge with a disciplined points victory.

He is now expected to return to the ring before the end of the year.