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Second Boxer from Feb. 2 Claressa Shields Card Tests Positive For Marijuana, Highlighting Testing Concerns
BREAKING NEWS
Jake Donovan
Jake Donovan
RingMagazine.com
Second Boxer from Feb. 2 Claressa Shields Card Tests Positive For Marijuana, Highlighting Testing Concerns
Claressa Shields will gladly have her day before the commission who claimed that she was less than a clean athlete.

By then, the pound-for-pound queen should have all the evidence she needs to prove that her accuser and its testing system is at fault.

The Ring has confirmed that Joseph Hicks and Skylar Lacy also produced positive post-fight drug tests from the Feb. 2 show that saw Shields defeat Danielle Perkins to become undisputed heavyweight champion.

Both boxers joined Shields on the commission’s indefinite suspension list from drug testing results that night at Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan.

As previously reported, Shields (16-0, 3 KOs) was claimed to have tested positive for marijuana from that night. The result came from an oral swab taken, despite her commission-tested urinalysis and all testing conducted through VADA all coming up clean.

The Ring has confirmed that Hicks also tested positive for low thresholds of marijuana, similarly from a mouth swab. Like Shields, Hicks’ urine samples all came back negative.

Hicks (12-0, 8 KOs)—an unbeaten junior middleweight from Grand Rapids, Michigan—scored a seventh-round stoppage of second-generation boxer Keon Papillion (10-1-1, 7 KOs). Their battle of undefeated prospects aired on DAZN in support of Shields’ third divisional undisputed championship haul.

The undercard also saw Lacy (8-1-2, 6 KOs) suffer an eighth-round disqualification loss against Brandon Moore in one of the more bizarre fight endings in recent memory.

Four total point deductions were issued for an assortment of fouls before Lacy pushed Moore through the ropes less than a minute into the eighth round. Moore (17-1) made it back into the ring before referee Steve Willis’ twenty-count, at which point Lacy was disqualified.

A post-fight drug test came back positive for Lacy as well. However, The Ring was not able to confirm the substance in question as this goes to publication.

For now, Shields, Hicks and Lacy are placed on the suspension list pending the next commission hearing.

Representatives from the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission (MUCC) claimed that “Ms. Shields’ conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an imminent threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest, and welfare and safety of professional athletes.”

Naturally, the statement was viewed as “absurd” by Mark Taffet, Shields’ career-long manager and former HBO Sports executive.

A second positive test for low thresholds of marijuana further support that claim, as well as point out the flaws with MUCC’s testing. It is believed that Shields and Hicks were exposed to secondhand smoke while on the arena floor after their respective fights, which would explain the immediate post-fight test result from the oral swab.

VADA long ago ceased testing for cannabinoids, nor does the World Boxing Council (WBC) recognize the recreational drug as a “performance enhancing” substance.

"In the spirit of complete clarity and transparency, the WBC would like to reiterate that THC is not a banned substance according to the VADA prohibited substances list," the WBC reiterated in a statement. "VADA is the agency that administers the WBC's anti-doping program known as the WBC Clean Boxing Program (WBC CBP). Simply put, Marihuana (THC) is not a performance enhancing drug.

"Therefore, Champion Shields will not be found at fault nor will she receive any penalty with regards to her status as champion. However, the WBC will initiate an administrative process with Champion Shields in connection with the Michigan Commission's finding to address the matter focusing on the health and social effects. The WBC will not comment on the matter until that process is completed."

WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) tests for the substance in-competition, the code which was followed by MUCC save for the mouth swabs which is not part of standard testing.

Shields remains the recognized WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion. Of the four, only the WBO called for Shields to provide documentation for the positive drug test result, as it was reported to the sanctioning body by MUCC.

Andy Foster, head of the California State Athletic Commission, confirmed on a recent episode of "The Ariel Helwani Show" that Shields will be permitted to box in California, regardless of the investigation outcome.

Shields has long proven to be a clean athlete, both on the highest stage at amateur and pro. She has been subject to regular testing for two Olympic cycles—2012 and 2016, having claimed Gold in both—and pro championship fights spanning five weight divisions.

“Claressa Shields has built her career on hard work, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to clean competition,” Dmitriy Salita, Shields’ career-long promoter, told The Ring in a provided statement. “She stands by her record, her historic achievements, and her integrity as a world champion. She has been an inspiration to countless men and women throughout the United States and throughout the world since she was a teenage Olympian.

“This is a pending matter with the Michigan commission and, as such, I cannot share much more. However, we are one-hundred percent confident that Claressa Shields will be vindicated when this matter concludes, and all the evidence is heard. One thing I can say with confidence, Claressa Shields did not and does not ingest illicit drugs of any kind including marijuana. And there is nothing in this instance that will tarnish her still growing legacy.”

Jake Donovan is part of the U.S. team for The Ring. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.

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