• Andre Berto v Victor Ortiz

Berto tests positive for banned substance

ESPN staff
May 19, 2012
The rematch between Andre Berto and Victor Oritz is off © PA Photos
Enlarge

Former welterweight champion Andre Berto tested positive to a performance-enhancing substance known as norandrosterone on Friday, with his rematch against Victor Ortiz subsequently called off.

Berto's 'A' and 'B' samples were both tested positive by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Fight promoter Richard Schaefer says Ortiz will now look for another opponent for June 23, while the future of Berto remains unclear.

Berto's trainer Victor Conte said the boxer took an unknown substance which may have been tampered with. Conte initially tweeted: "Andre Berto's positive test for (norandrosterone) has absolutely nothing to do with me or any supplements I provided. Likely trace contamination. Andre has admitted to taking supplements other than what I provided without my knowledge. Apparently, something was contaminated.

"I had absolutely nothing to do Andre Berto's positive drug test for nandrolone," Conte later said in a statement. "Andre enrolled in the VADA drug testing program in early 2012. While using my nutritional products and protocols, Andre's blood and urine were randomly tested twice before his recent bicep injury, and all tests were negative.

"After his positive test was revealed, Andre admitted that he recently took some supplements that were not provided by me and did so without my knowledge. It is possible that one of these supplements was contaminated with trace amounts of nandrolone and caused his positive test result."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices