Bad news for Oscar Valdez: after testing positive for the banned stimulant phentermine earlier this week, today saw his B-sample test positive as well. Good news for Oscar Valdez: both Mike Coppinger and Salvador Rodriguez report that his September 10th title defense against Robson Conceicao will go ahead as expected.
Per Coppinger, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission went by WADA guidelines, which only prohibit stimulants in-competition. VADA guidelines prohibit them at all times.
Valdez’s (29-0, 23 KO) team claimed that the low quantities were the product of an herbal tea during yesterday’s hearing, though it’s unclear whether that played a part in the Commission’s decision. The WBC has yet to make a ruling on the status of his super featherweight title, claiming it would not comment until it finished its “due process.”
As of now, however, he’ll defend it against Brazil’s Conceicao (16-0, 8 KO) next week on ESPN+. The co-feature sees top prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. take on Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas, while the prelims feature a potential slobberknocker between WBO flyweight champion Junto Nakatani and former light flyweight titlist Angel Acosta.