Kazuto Ioka "suspected of doping violations"!
On April 26th, Japan time, the Daily Shincho reported a suspected doping violation found in a sample from WBO Super Flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15) [井岡一翔], from around the time of his bout with Kosei Tanaka (15-1, 9) [田中恒成] at the end of 2020.
According to the report Ioka tested positive for marijuana, which although being a legal drug in some parts of the world isn't legal in Japan and is on the WADA banned substances list.
The report, which we will link to below, quotes a Japanese official explaining what has been found and some of the background behind drug testing in Japanese boxing.
"Ioka and Tanaka were tested for doping before the World Title Match on New Year's Eve last year. JBC has been testing for doping in the World War for nearly 20 years since the 1990s. So far, no "positive reaction" has been given. Therefore, the result of the simple test found after the match was shocking .... A positive reaction for "marijuana""
The report states the positive reaction came from a urine sample, though due to the situation they wanted to do more due diligence, and took it to a specialised agency to verify the result.
Regard that further testing, the report, again quoting an un-named JBC official, stated "This time, three components other than marijuana were detected. Of course, the release of these components does not mean that Ioka was taking illegal drugs immediately. The problem is the first. Marijuana, which tested positive, and the three components detected in the second test are all substances that the World Anti-Doping Organization (WADA) has banned from use during competition. However, we are in a situation where we have to deal with it. "
Whilst the issue of a failed doping test, which this would be, is a bad one to begin with things could potentially get worse for Ioka, with the JBC source being quoted as saying ”JBC approached the Police Agency after the Marijuana component was detected in Ioka's sample. It is said that Ioka is actually being interviewed by the Police Agency."
According to the report Ioka's lawyer has confirmed that the fighter has spoken to the local police, after a report stating he had a cannabis component show in a doping test. The police investigation is said to have been a short one and the charges have "already cleared up".
Whilst the police don't seem to be taking the matter further the JBC are, according to the report, discussing what to do next, with a punishment of some kind expected to be dealt out to the fighter.
The report, which appeared online, is set to be followed up later in the week in the print edition of the Daily Shincho with more evidence set to be shared.
The article on the Daily Shincho website, with the allegations, can be read here in Japanese.
Whilst the Daily Shincho is regarded as a reliable source, it should be noted that they also reported a deal was done for a bout between Ryota Murata [村田 諒太] and Mexican boxing megastar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in January 2020, when no such deal had been agreed. Given the allegations at hand however we suspect they have some very good sources and evidence backing this particular story.
According to the report Ioka tested positive for marijuana, which although being a legal drug in some parts of the world isn't legal in Japan and is on the WADA banned substances list.
The report, which we will link to below, quotes a Japanese official explaining what has been found and some of the background behind drug testing in Japanese boxing.
"Ioka and Tanaka were tested for doping before the World Title Match on New Year's Eve last year. JBC has been testing for doping in the World War for nearly 20 years since the 1990s. So far, no "positive reaction" has been given. Therefore, the result of the simple test found after the match was shocking .... A positive reaction for "marijuana""
The report states the positive reaction came from a urine sample, though due to the situation they wanted to do more due diligence, and took it to a specialised agency to verify the result.
Regard that further testing, the report, again quoting an un-named JBC official, stated "This time, three components other than marijuana were detected. Of course, the release of these components does not mean that Ioka was taking illegal drugs immediately. The problem is the first. Marijuana, which tested positive, and the three components detected in the second test are all substances that the World Anti-Doping Organization (WADA) has banned from use during competition. However, we are in a situation where we have to deal with it. "
Whilst the issue of a failed doping test, which this would be, is a bad one to begin with things could potentially get worse for Ioka, with the JBC source being quoted as saying ”JBC approached the Police Agency after the Marijuana component was detected in Ioka's sample. It is said that Ioka is actually being interviewed by the Police Agency."
According to the report Ioka's lawyer has confirmed that the fighter has spoken to the local police, after a report stating he had a cannabis component show in a doping test. The police investigation is said to have been a short one and the charges have "already cleared up".
Whilst the police don't seem to be taking the matter further the JBC are, according to the report, discussing what to do next, with a punishment of some kind expected to be dealt out to the fighter.
The report, which appeared online, is set to be followed up later in the week in the print edition of the Daily Shincho with more evidence set to be shared.
The article on the Daily Shincho website, with the allegations, can be read here in Japanese.
Whilst the Daily Shincho is regarded as a reliable source, it should be noted that they also reported a deal was done for a bout between Ryota Murata [村田 諒太] and Mexican boxing megastar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in January 2020, when no such deal had been agreed. Given the allegations at hand however we suspect they have some very good sources and evidence backing this particular story.