Arthur Beterbiev Hits Out At Callum Smith’s Approach To His ‘Atypical’ VADA Tests
Arthur Beterbiev has responded to Callum Smith after reports the Brit will reveal information regarding the Russian’s atypical VADA tests.
Beterbiev’s VADA tests, taken on December 6, 2023, showed the presence of human growth hormone and 5D-androstanediol. VADA labelled these as atypical findings since they can grow naturally in the body. That was not enough for VADA to say that he had failed the test as Beterbiev underwent further testing. Samples were taken on December 15 and December 21 for his urine, while further blood tests happened on December 21 and January 3.
They were all negative, but Smith tested negative throughout without any atypical findings, leaving question marks over Beterbiev’s results. Eddie Hearn responded by demanding more clarity from VADA. He recently saw his fighter, Conor Benn, undergo scrutiny following his failed VADA tests for Clomiphene.
The boxer has been accused of using a jurisdiction defence to avoid a UK ban. This is because UKAD cannot enforce VADA findings. Benn must underdog a hearing with UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control and be cleared before he can fight in the UK. Until that happens, he is only allowed to box outside the UK. So when it came to Beterbiev, Hearn understood and demanded the same level of scrutiny that his fighter was getting.
Hearn On Beterbiev
“There’s no accusation towards Artur Beterbiev. If VADA feel it’s not an adverse finding then on we go. But we want to know more. If you’re saying they can occur naturally and there was a spike in them on those tests, but a week later there was no spike, can that happen? Is that something that happens naturally? It’s a very grey, cloudy area.
“I just feel there needs to be more transparency of people saying ‘this has happened and these are the reasons for it’. You can imagine when you receive that piece of paper from VADA and you’ve got a guy fighting that opponent and you read that, as someone who probably doesn’t understand the science, of course you’re concerns are monumental. We just want to be put at ease and I don’t feel like we’ve had that,” Hearn said
Beterbiev On Smith
Beterbiev has now come to give his stance on the matter after suggestions Smith may reveal all of what he knows. He accused Smith of already looking for excuses as he maintained his innocence.
“It has come to my attention that Callum intends to disseminate misleading information about my VADA testing program for this fight. Let me be clear now: I am a clean athlete. I have never tested positive for a banned substance throughout my amateur and professional career and I complied with all VADA requirements and protocols during the build-up to this fight. Any attempt to imply otherwise, through innuendo or suggestion is slanderous and libelous. This conduct is beyond acceptable trash talk in combat sports. Callum is already searching for excuses, looking for a way out. See you Saturday,” Beterbiev added
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