WBA heavyweight champion (for the moment) James Toney has been suspended for 90 days for violating the New York State Athletic Commission's drug abuse regulations in his fight with John Ruiz on April 30. In a statement issued earlier today, Toney denied any use of performance enhancing drugs. New York Newsday reported last night that Toney tested positive for the drug nandrolone.
"All the proper procedures were followed," said NYSAC chairman Ron Scott Stevens of the testing and subsequent suspension of Toney, which also carries a $10,000 fine. Stevens also noted that Toney can request a hearing within 30 days of being notified about the suspension.
Team Ruiz now awaits a ruling from the WBA which will put the championship belt back around the waist of "The Quiet Man". According to the rules of the sanctioning body, "If the challenger wins the championship fight and his antidrug test is positive and the losing champion has a negative result, then the champion shall retain his title in spite of the loss and the challenger shall be disqualified and shall not box for the title from the World Boxing Association during the next two (2) years and only after presentation of medical evidence that he has been rehabilitated."
Ruiz' outspoken trainer / manager Norman Stone wasted no time in taking the offensive against Toney. "All I've ever heard was how bad Johnny Ruiz was for boxing," he said in a press release sent this afternoon. "Who's bad for boxing now? Toney's always talking about being a man. Well, he should be a man and admit what he did instead of making excuses. He can't talk trash about us anymore. Toney said he only fears God; he should fear the New York State Athletic Commission, too. "Toney shot his mouth off, talking a lot of BS and degrading Johnny. But who's going to have the last laugh? I believe everybody in his corner should be responsible, including Dan Goossen. They can make up all of the 'the dog ate my homework' excuses they want, but Toney flunked his test and they
should own up to it."
"All the proper procedures were followed," said NYSAC chairman Ron Scott Stevens of the testing and subsequent suspension of Toney, which also carries a $10,000 fine. Stevens also noted that Toney can request a hearing within 30 days of being notified about the suspension.
Team Ruiz now awaits a ruling from the WBA which will put the championship belt back around the waist of "The Quiet Man". According to the rules of the sanctioning body, "If the challenger wins the championship fight and his antidrug test is positive and the losing champion has a negative result, then the champion shall retain his title in spite of the loss and the challenger shall be disqualified and shall not box for the title from the World Boxing Association during the next two (2) years and only after presentation of medical evidence that he has been rehabilitated."
Ruiz' outspoken trainer / manager Norman Stone wasted no time in taking the offensive against Toney. "All I've ever heard was how bad Johnny Ruiz was for boxing," he said in a press release sent this afternoon. "Who's bad for boxing now? Toney's always talking about being a man. Well, he should be a man and admit what he did instead of making excuses. He can't talk trash about us anymore. Toney said he only fears God; he should fear the New York State Athletic Commission, too. "Toney shot his mouth off, talking a lot of BS and degrading Johnny. But who's going to have the last laugh? I believe everybody in his corner should be responsible, including Dan Goossen. They can make up all of the 'the dog ate my homework' excuses they want, but Toney flunked his test and they
should own up to it."
