Shortly after Jaime Munguia defeated Bruno Surace on May 3 via unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it was revealed that he had failed a post-fight drug test for exogenous testosterone metabolites.
Muguia has denied any wrongdoing and now his team has released an official statement regarding the findings and are adamant the 28 year-old is a cheater and purposely took any banned substance to gain an edge.
Check it out:
First, it is important to reiterate: Jaime Munguía has never tested positive in over 100 anti-doping tests across his professional career until now. His record speaks for itself. He has always complied with VADA testing protocols and has built a reputation as a clean and respectful fighter who honors the integrity of the sport. We ask the boxing community to remember that context before rushing to judgment. The test in question was one of multiple tests conducted during training camp—all others came back clean. The positive A-sample result was unexpected and deeply concerning to us.
Exogenous testosterone —like many banned substances—can enter the body in several ways, not solely through intentional use. At this moment, we do not yet know what caused the result. We are rigorously reviewing every product Jaime has used, including supplements, pharmaceuticals, treatments, and anything else that could be relevant. This is a meticulous process, and we are committed to uncovering how this substance may have entered his system.
We also want to clarify that Eddy Reynoso serves only as Jaime’s trainer. He is not involved in Jaime’s nutrition, supplementation, or medical oversight. Likewise, no one on Canelo Álvarez’s team has any role in overseeing Jaime’s regimen or is in any way responsible for this situation. Any implication that Reynoso or anyone associated with Canelo’s team bears responsibility is entirely unfounded and unfair. The only person responsible for overseeing Jaime’s supplements and vitamins is Marco Antonio Pérez Espinoza, who has worked with Jaime since nearly the beginning of his professional career. This is the first time Marco has ever been connected to a situation of this nature, and is fully cooperating in the current review process.
We have not been informed of the exact levels detected in the initial test, which is a critical piece of information, nor have we received the result of the B-sample, which is currently pending. While we wait, we urge the public and the media to avoid drawing premature conclusions based on incomplete information. One thing we know for certain: Jaime is not a cheater. He did not knowingly or intentionally take anything that would violate anti-doping regulations. To suggest otherwise is not only inaccurate, but deeply unfair to a fighter who has always operated with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the sport. He has been a consistent advocate for clean boxing and has personally insisted on VADA testing throughout his career because he understands that in a contact sport, the use of performance-enhancing drugs can have serious, even dangerous, consequences.
Surace initially defeated Munguia (45-2) via sixth-round knockout six months prior to the rematch in what proved to be one of the biggest upsets of the year.
Just last week, Jermall Charlo blew the lid on boxing by saying performance enhancing drug (PED) use is common in the sport, and fighters and their teams have mastered the art of micro-dosing in order to not get flagged. He went on to point the finger at Canelo Alvarez — who is a member of Munguia’s inner-circle — by saying that the pound-for-pound great is not fighting fair when it comes to banned supplements.
For more boxing news and notes click here.
