Bowe accuses Golota of steroid use, wants test N.J. official says testing would happen only if both fighters' camps agree
October 18, 1996|By Alan Goldstein,SUN STAFF

Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, preparing for a rematch with Andrew Golota, has accused his rival of using steroids in their first riot-marred fight at Madison Square Garden last July.

"I definitely think he was on steroids," said Bowe, who was being soundly beaten before being declared the winner by disqualification in the seventh round when Golota was charged with a fourth low blow. The boxers will meet in Atlantic City, N.J., on Dec. 14.

"Look at Golota's record prior to fighting me," he said. "Mediocre guys were hurting him. When he fought me, he had a lot of energy and my punches didn't bother him.

"If he is not tested for steroids this time, there will be no fight. Mano a mano, I know he can't beat me. If he's clean, and he gives the same kind of performance, I'll tip my hat to him. Otherwise, we'll know his performance in July was enhanced by steroids."

Dr. Billy Lathan, chief medical officer for the New York State Athletic Commission, said yesterday that his commission does not test for steroids, adding, "I do not believe any state commission tests for it.

"Personally, I don't think it's that important relative to all the other tests we do for drugs, AIDS, hepatitis, and the condition of a fighter's heart and eyes," said Lathan. "I think, in the long run, steroids would prove more harmful."

Larry Hazzard, chairman of the New Jersey Athletic Commission, said, "If both camps -- Bowe and Golota -- mutually agree to being tested for steroids, we would oblige them.

"Currently, we do not require steroid testing, but there is latitude in our rules and regulations to ensure the integrity of an event."

Pub Date: 10/18/96

Golota had a bunch of back pimples too...Bowe was probably right on that one.

Golota was for sure on steroids. I thought it back then and I think it now.

Im so not with you on this hype. This fight falling apart was more floyd than manny although both could have bent more if they really wanted the fight. although to say manny diddnt bend quite a bit would be inacurate.

I know you your position is that for 40 mil take the test. but that argument is on both sides and manny is in a diff position than us financially. Hell Id fight any of these guys with a blood test on 20 minutes notice for 50,000 with one hand

However, as far as the fight falling through, I actually don't blame Floyd or Manny...I blame Bob Arum. He never wanted the fight to begin with. The blood test was just what he used to get out of it...if it wasn't the blood test though, it would have been something else. This fight was never going to happen from the beginning. This was a big "FUCK YOU" to Oscar and Floyd...payback for them leaving him.

I always suspected Golota was using due to the size of his head

I think alot of those guys that are having success use PEDs. The Klitschkos would also be prime suspects in my eyes. As long as the commissions keep allowing guys to skate without any real testing we are going to see records go down similarly to MLB. Its gonna take somebody to say wait a minute, this type of shit aint ever been done, or aint humanly possible to get something done about it. I hate to say it, but maybe its gonna take a beloved star to actually die in the ring at their hands of someone who tests positive.

I think alot of those guys that are having success use PEDs. The Klitschkos would also be prime suspects in my eyes. As long as the commissions keep allowing guys to skate without any real testing we are going to see records go down similarly to MLB. Its gonna take somebody to say wait a minute, this type of shit aint ever been done, or aint humanly possible to get something done about it. I hate to say it, but maybe its gonna take a beloved star to actually die in the ring at ther hands of someone who tests positive.

I'm pretty sure the Klitschkos are admitted steroid users...at least I thought one of them (Vitali I think) admitted to using them in the past.

In 1996, Klitschko was preparing to represent the Ukraine in the Atlanta Olympics but was tossed off the team after testing positive for a banned substance. Vitali had planned to compete at super-heavyweight while his younger brother, Wladimir, would fight at heavyweight. Wladimir took over the super-heavyweight slot and won the gold medal. Both Klitschkos have been tested routinely for banned substances throughout their professional careers and have always been clean.

I think someone on steroids has a higher chance of getting killed in the ring. They do something to your body that's bad in a combat sports. It would be "better" if someone died because of steroids. Kinda like Vargas getting killed by Dela Hoya. Then, perhaps, people will realize the dangers of EPO/steroids/etc. not just to the opponent but, moreso, to the user.

I always suspected Golota was using due to the size of his head

Amen. If the guy has a huge dome that's PROOF in the putting. No need for prosecution, they need to be banned from boxing and sentenced immediately to 20 years to life. What's more, for the defenders of Pac and other big headed atheletes, I am not saying these lunatics should be sentenced to prison but full castration (where not only they cut off the balls but the penis as well) should be a fitting punishment for the crime, all these guys are obviously nuthuggers, they deserve nothing less for being so gay. lol

Olympic style drug tests? What the fuck for? It doesn't work. What is needed is a measuring tape to measure the guy's head, if his head size is over a certain centimeters (determined by the FANS not the faggot officials in boxing) than he would be immediately arrested and wait to be sentenced. Guys like Frasier, Chavez, MAB, and all the miniweights for that matter should be detained immediately for head measurement, most of them would fail, they should be sentensed immediately. Boxing and boxing FANS deserve nothing less!!!!