In the wake of Willie Monroe Jr.'s failed drug test, there has been a change in the main event of the December 22 PBC on FOX card.
Monroe tested positive for a "banned steroidal substance" in a urine exam back in November and the WBC has ruled Monroe ineligible to fight Jermall Charlo for the interim WBC middleweight title. The two were supposed to fight on the PBC card, which also featured Charlo's brother Jermell defending his WBC junior middleweight world title against Tony Harrison.
The news of Monroe's positive test was revealed on December 15, putting the fight in jeopardy. Below is the WBC's complete ruling on the matter, which was made public in the morning of December 17:
WBC Clean Boxing Program Preliminary Report Regarding Willie Monroe Jr.
A sample collected from Willie Monroe Jr., pursuant to the WBC Clean Boxing Program yielded an adverse finding for a banned substance.
The WBC feels compelled to provide a preliminary report of the situation in light of the timing of Mr. Monroe?s upcoming bout for the WBC Interim World Title scheduled for December the 22nd.
The WBC?s will afford Mr. Monroe the due process to which he is entitled under the WBC CBP?s Protocol. While the WBC follows its Protocol?s procedures, Mr. Monroe?s situation cannot not be fully and justly adjudicated on a timely fashion for him to fight for the WBC Title. The WBC CBP?s ultimate goal is to protect the health, safety and welfare of boxers. Accordingly, the WBC must fully investigate the specific facts surrounding Mr. Monroe?s reported adverse finding before fully adjudicating the matter.
At this point, the facts known to the WBC indicate that a sample collected from Mr. Monroe yielded an adverse finding for a banned steroidal substance. It also appears that Mr. Monroe disclosed to the sample collector his use of a non-specific ?testosterone booster? in his Doping Control Form. Mr. Monroe did not request, nor he received, a Therapeutic Use Exception for any substance.
The WBC CBP provides program participants with multiple educational tools, including a detailed and required webinar which explains important facts about PEDs, banned procedures and other important factors. It is the participants? obligation to be informed of what the WBC CBP requires of him and adhere to it accordingly.
As always, the WBC will conduct its investigation in the most impartial and supportive manner, and will report a final ruling once it completes the process the WBC CBP mandates.
As for what will happen in the main event, PBC announced that Matt Korobov, who was previously scheduled to fight in an untelevised fight on the undercard, will now fight Jermall on the card. Korobov is a former world title challenger who has won his last four fights.
The rest of the card remains intact with the opening bout being a heavyweight fight between top contender Dominic Breazeale and once-beaten Carlos Negron.