Jean Pascal Dethroned as WBA Champion for Consuming Banned Substances
Apart from facing a six-month suspension, the WBO has stripped off Haitian-Canadian boxer Jean Pascal as the light-heavyweight champion after he tested positive for consuming several substances banned by the VADA.
According to a section in WBA’s rulebook: “No boxer who has tested positive for a banned substance can be ranked, retain a title or participate in a WBA sanctioned fight within six months of the test.”
Pascal’s samples were taken during his training for the fight against Badou Jack planned for last month. They were supposed to lock horns as the Showtime pay-per-view co-feature to the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul exhibition matchup.
But the 38-year-old was removed from the fight, and a late replacement was brought in at the eleventh hour to fill his shoes. Jack, who lost the first showdown against Pascal two years back, was seemingly angry with his colleague.
“He should be in jail,” Jack said in an interview conducted after he got to know of the drug test report that revealed epitrenbolone, drostanolone, and drostanolone metabolite were found in the veteran boxer’s sample.
“I feel like I’ve been living a nightmare for the past six weeks. This has been a major embarrassment for me. I let my fans down, let my family down, let my team down, and I’m truly sorry.
Pascal claimed that he consumed the substances unknowingly. “I know people aren’t going to believe what I have to say, and that’s OK because I understand my actions moving forward are what’s going to matter, not my words right now. I take the blame. I hold myself accountable, and this is never going to happen again,” the former WBA champ said.
Pascal is already eager to fight for the gold in 2022. “I will be back on top soon. I see another championship around my waist next year, I can visualize it, now it’s just time to work hard and dedicate myself, so I can achieve it.”
Nonetheless, Pascal can have his sample reexamined and reconsider their decision on his title status.