Oscar Valdez awaits his fate.

The undefeated two-time and reigning WBC junior lightweight titlist is at risk of losing out on a scheduled September 10 title defense versus Brazil’s three-time Olympian and 2016 Gold medalist Robson Conceicao (16-0, 8KOSs) due to drug testing violation. Valdez tested positive for Phentermine as produced in a sample collected August 13 by agents contracted through Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). BoxingScene.com has learned that the “B” sample—which was tested earlier this week at the request of Valdez—came back positive, days after it was learned that the “A” sample showed evidence of the substance in his system.

The development jeopardizes Valdez’s planned homecoming headliner at Casino del Sol in his childhood hometown of Tucson, Arizona. The property is on tribal ground in southwest Arizona, placing the event under the jurisdiction of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission who is expected to rule on the matter as early as Thursday afternoon.

It remains unclear as this goes to publish whether Conceicao would remain on the show if Valdez is removed, should the event still move forward without the title fight at the top of the bill. While Valdez is undeniably the show’s draw, the scheduling needs of ESPN+—which will carry the event live—could discourage a cancellation.

Top Rank representatives were not in a position to comment on the show’s status, nor would confirm or deny any current developments.  

Valdez (29-0, 23KOs) was due to make the first defense of the WBC title he claimed in a tenth-round knockout of countryman and long-reigning champ Miguel Berchelt this past February at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. The two-division titlist and two-time Olympian for Mexico saw his status officially placed in jeopardy upon learning that a testing sample as collected by Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) showed trace amounts of Phentermine, a prescription weight-loss supplement that is banned by the independent testing agency.

Valdez and his team were informed of the result Monday, at which point an emergency meeting was scheduled to take place Wednesday morning with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission to discuss the September 10 event. Valdez was represented by boxing attorney Patrick English, who was on the conference call along with representatives from Top Rank and the WBC to review the matter with the commission.

Valdez’s legal team went on record with all involved parties to insist that the boxer “had no knowledge that he was taking Phentermine and that we believe at this point it [comes] from an herbal tea.” In the same argument, English argued that the substance in question is not banned during out-of-competition period as recognized by World Anti-Doping Agency, which is the recognized code among most commissions around the world.

“This shows the tremendous value of VADA testing. Had this not shown up it is very possible that an "in competition" test would have caught Phentermine with dire consequences. He is now alerted to the issue and has ceased taking anything possibly contaminated.”

However, the argument is ultimately without merit since VADA does not differentiate between in-competition and out-of-competition, as all listed substances are always prohibited. The responsibility falls with the enrolled athletes to familiarize themselves with VADA protocol, to include notifying the testing agency of all training supplements used during such period. The same paperwork also discloses that informing of such usage does not excuse a positive test result and that the burden of proof for contamination lies with the boxer.

A similar argument was utilized by England’s Billy Joe Saunders ahead of his canceled October 2018 WBO middleweight title fight versus Demetrius Andrade in Boston, Massachusetts. Saunders tested positive for Oxilofrine, a substance which the Brit claims was ingested through usage of a nasal decongestant. He also argued—unsuccessfully—that it is considered a legal substance during out-of-competition period as recognized in his home region where all boxers are subject to random testing through the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) program.

The claim contradicted the terms of the agreement with VADA, nor did the excuses fly with the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission who cited the dangers of the drug usage throughout baseball as means to deny the boxer a license eleven days prior to the scheduled fight.

The ruling left Saunders unable to defend his title, resulting in his having to relinquish the WBO belt which Andrade claimed in a vacant title fight win over late substitute Walter Kautondokwa.

Valdez’s situation is different since his scheduled clash with Brazil’s Conceicao (16-0, 8KOs) was to have been a voluntary title defense. Still, he remains—as a WBC champion—in violation of the sanctioning body’s Clean Boxing Program testing protocol, which utilizes the services of VADA to handle all drug testing.

The WBC is on record as currently conducting its own investigation into the matter and has declined further comment on the topic. Theoretically, the fight could still proceed if accepted by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, based on most commissions’ acceptance of WADA code—although not formally adopted by this commission. However, the WBC would have to formally clear Valdez for the fight to move forward with its title at stake.

Valdez previously held the WBO featherweight title for three years before moving up to junior lightweight in 2019. Three straight stoppage wins have followed at the higher weight, including his career-best performance versus Berchelt

Conceciao was due to enter his first career title fight. The 5’10” junior lightweight has yet to emerge as a top contender in the pros though boasts lofty amateur credentials, having represented Brazil in three Olympics—2008 Beijing, 2012 London and 2016 Rio. Conceicao became the first boxer from Brazil to win Olympic Gold, doing so as a lightweight during 2016 Rio before signing a pro contract with Top Rank later that year.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox