David Benavidez, the WBC's super middleweight champion, is potentially facing trouble after "an adverse finding" was discovered on a drug test administered by VADA.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced on Twitter that the governing body has received confirmation from VADA of the finding, meaning Benavidez failed a drug test administered to him.
Though Sulaiman did not mention what exactly was the adverse finding, but Mike Coppinger of Ring TV world report that benzoylecgonine, the central compound found in cocaine, was the substance discovered in his system and not a performance-enhancing drug.
Benavidez won the then-vacant title back in September 2017 when he defeated Ronald Gavril by split decision. A rematch was issued and Benavidez won more convincingly by unanimous decision when the two fought this past February. The 21-year-old Benavidez has not fought since then.
A legal between Top Rank and Sampson Boxing over who gets promotional rights for Benavidez prevented the champion from defending his title against Matt Korobov on July 28. The fight was supposed to be the co-main event fight to the Showtime broadcast on that night headlined by Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter Jr.
Benavidez could potentially be facing a fine or a suspension as a result of the positive test. Benavidez was planned to face former world champion Anthony Dirrell but the fight was never officially announced.
