ESPN: Canelo Alvarez withdraws from Cinco de Mayo rematch with Gennady Golovkin

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez withdrew Tuesday from his planned rematch against Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin, ESPN reports.

Eric Gomez, the president of Golden Boy Promotions, said Golden Boy has been advised Alvarez isn’t likely to be cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to fight Golovkin on May 5, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The first fight ended in a controversial draw.

Alvarez is scheduled to appear before the NSAC on April 18 in Las Vegas. The agency temporarily suspended Alvarez for twice testing positive for a banned substance in February.

The plan is for the Alvarez-Golovkin rematch to be rescheduled for August or September, but Alvarez could be suspended for up to a year by the NSAC.

On March 5, 2018, Golden Boy Promotions announced Alvarez tested positive for Clenbuterol during random testing with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Clenbuterol is classified as a prohibited anabolic agent.

Canelo’s team said the positive test was due to tainted meat consumed in Mexico. In the past, several Mexican athletes have tested positive for Clenbuterol and have attributed the positive tests to tainted meat. Mexican ranchers often inject cattle with Clenbuterol in order to reduce the animal’s fat and increase muscle tissue.

Golovkin’s promoter says the middleweight champion still plans to fight on May 5, 2018.