Canelo vs. Golovkin rematch canceled due to failed drug test

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin won’t be settling the score next month.

On Tuesday, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez announced that the May 5 rematch between two of boxing’s biggest stars has officially been canceled in the wake of Alvarez failing a pair of drug tests taken this past February for the banned substance clenbuterol, per Yahoo Sports. According to Gomez, he was told that Alvarez was unlikely to have his case cleared in time to make the scheduled date.

“I have always been a clean fighter and I always will be a clean fighter,” Alvarez said on a conference call Tuesday. “I want to prove without a doubt that I have never intentionally ingested clenbuterol. I have nothing to hide and I want to be open and transparent through this process. …. I have never taken illegal substances and this is no different.”

Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions have maintained that the boxer’s positive test was due to the meat contamination that has affected several other fighters who reside in Mexico. The 27-year-old was provisionally suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission in March.

The May 5 bout in Las Vegas was to be the second meeting between Alvarez and Golovkin. Their first encounter last September was for the WBA and IBF middleweight titles, but neither man laid claim to them as the 12-round bout ended in a controversial split draw. For Golovkin, it was the first time in 38 professional matches that he did not walk away with a victory.

A replacement opponent is expected to be found for Golovkin, while Alvarez said on Tuesday’s call that he would like to see the rematch booked again as soon as he is reinstated. Alvarez’s disciplinary hearing will take place on April 18.