On eve of random drug testing, NSAC looks to institute stiffer penalties for failed screens

  LAS VEGAS – With the Nevada State Athletic Commission set to resume random drug testing on July 1, the commissioners also hope to soon institute stiffer penalties for those failing screens.

During the NSAC's monthly meeting, held today in Las Vegas, commissioner Pat Lundvall and Francisco Aguilar each discussed the need for increased penalties to offending combatants, particularly in the case of fighters using diuretics.

"We are seeing an increasing amount of these diuretics," Lundvall said. "I think it is getting to be almost a problem.

"I'm trying to figure out a way by which we can ensure that fighters understand that this is something that is prohibited. It is for their own good, and this is not something that can be treated lightly."

The discussion came during the NSAC's disciplinary hearing for Cuban boxer Puro Pairol (5-0-1), who earned a March win over Franky Martinez at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Following the victory, Pairol provided a urine sample that tested positive for a diuretic known as furosemide.

After hearing the details of the case, commissioner Francisco Aguilar echoed Lundvall's concerns.

"I think going forward, we need to increase the penalties for fighters," Aguilar said. "I think this commission has given them proper notice at this point to say, 'This is not going to be taken lightly anymore. This is a serious issue.'"

The NSAC governs all combat sports in Nevada, including boxing and MMA.

Diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies. In medicine, diuretics can be used to treat heart failure, liver cirrhosis, hypertension and certain kidney diseases. For an athlete struggling to cut weight, the benefit is obvious.

Pairol claimed he was on weight two weeks prior to he bout and used the furosemide to treat pain in his kidneys.

While no formal direction was issued on how future incidents will be handled, Lundvall recommended all new infractions should result in a mandatory 12-month suspension and a fine of up to one-half of the fighter's purse.

"My thought process is that it looks like the past three (hearings) that we've done, we've ranged between eight and nine months for the suspension," Lundvall said. "That's something that moving forward at this point in time, I'd like to give serious consideration to future suspensions being 12 months and the penalty would be up to 50 percent."

Pairol was ultimately fined $200 of his $600 purse, which did not include a win bonus, and suspended nine months from the date of his bout. The result of his win was also overturned to a no contest. Pairol will also e required to provide a clean drug test before he receives another license to fight in Nevada.

Earlier this year, the NSAC was forced to scrap its random drug-testing procedures due to a lack of funding. However, Senate Bill No. 498, which passed earlier this month, provided additional revenue for the NSAC's testing program through an adjustment in promoter taxes.

by John Morgan