Sugar Shane Mosley And Steroids

27.09.07 – By Matthew Hurley: Long held suspicions as to Sugar Shane Mosley’s use of steroids has once again arisen. In an article published by Sports Illustrated several sources who attended an international sports anti-doping conference in Colorado alleged that Mosley began taking steroids prior to his rematch with Oscar De La Hoya in September of 2003..

shane mosley Jeff Novitzky, a lead investigator in the ongoing BALCO case maintains that months prior to the bout Mosley began taking “the clear” and “the cream”, both designer substances that possibly enhance physical performance. According to Novitzky, Mosley also took the drug Erythropietin (EPO) which is a hormone that increases red blood production. Oscar also dealt with Fernando Vargas who tested positive for steroids after their 2002 bout – a fight in which Vargas came in markedly oversized.

Golden Boy Promotions has, and probably will keep a tight lid on these recent allegations because Mosley is a vested partner in the company. This all comes on the heels of De La Hoya’s recent trials regarding illicit photographs that were published on the internet. Their worth notwithstanding, this is yet another headache that Golden Boy Promotions would rather not deal with.

According to the Sports Illustrated report, provided by Luis Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim, evidence seized during the BALCO raid provided proof that blood work done on Mosely had established that his hematocrit level – a test that measures red blood cells – was 44. After Mosley allegedly began his doping regime his tests levels reached 52.2 which is abnormally high. According to the Sports Illustrated report Mosley’s last dose of EPO was given on September 8th which was five days before the scheduled bout with De La Hoya.

Mosley went on to win a close decision against De La Hoya, due in most part because of his strong late round momentum. Whether or not this is indicative of steroid use will never really be known.

Regardless, there will probably be no action, at least in the corner of Golden Boy Promotions to find out if these allegations are true because they would obviously rather keep this issue under wraps and in house. Mosley is set to square off against Miguel Cotto in a welterweight title bout on November 10th at Madison Square Garden. Golden Boy Promotions are representing the bout. As this article went to press Sugar Shane Mosley had no comment.