“Munguia Is Not a Cheat”: Team Responds to Positive Drug Test

The team of super middleweight contender Jaime Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs) has issued a detailed statement to boxing media following his recent positive doping test.

“Following Jaime’s initial statement, we would like to offer further clarification in response to the speculation and misinformation circulating regarding his recent VADA test.

First and foremost, it’s important to reiterate: Jaime Munguia has never tested positive in over 100 anti-doping tests throughout his professional career. His reputation speaks for itself. He has consistently followed VADA protocols and has built a reputation as a clean and honorable fighter who respects the integrity of the sport. We urge the boxing community to consider this context before making premature judgments.

The test in question was one of several conducted during his training camp — all others returned negative. The positive result from Sample A was unexpected and deeply concerning.

Exogenous testosterone, like many other banned substances, can enter the body in numerous ways, not solely through intentional use. At this stage, we still don’t know exactly what caused the result.

We are thoroughly reviewing every product Jaime used — supplements, medications, treatments, and anything else that may be relevant. It is a complex process, and we are committed to understanding how this substance could have entered his system.

We also want to make it absolutely clear: Eddy Reynoso’s role is strictly as Munguia’s trainer. He has no involvement in Jaime’s nutrition, supplements, or medical oversight. Likewise, no member of Canelo Alvarez’s team is involved in Munguia’s preparation or responsible in any way for this situation. Any implication of involvement by Reynoso or Canelo’s team is baseless and unfair.

The only individual responsible for Munguia’s supplements and vitamins is Marco Antonio Perez Espinoza, who has worked with him since early in his career. This is the first time Marco has been linked to such a case, and he is fully cooperating with the ongoing review.

We have not yet been informed of the exact levels of the substance detected in the initial test — key information — nor have we received results from Sample B, which is currently under analysis.

In the meantime, we ask the public and media not to rush to judgment based on incomplete information. What we do know is this: Jaime is not a cheat. He did not knowingly use any substance in violation of anti-doping rules. Any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate and deeply unfair to a fighter who has always acted professionally, with dignity, and with respect for the sport. He has consistently advocated for clean boxing and personally insisted on VADA testing throughout his career, recognizing that doping in a contact sport carries serious and potentially dangerous consequences.

There have been cases in sport where athletes were fully exonerated after proving contamination — through human error or tainted products — with no intent to break the rules. We hope that a thorough review will bring similar clarity here.

We understand that the responsibility to comply fully with VADA’s standards lies with Jaime and our team. We take that responsibility seriously and are carefully reviewing every detail, working with experts and the appropriate authorities to determine what happened and how the substance entered his system.

We will share updates as soon as we have more information. In the meantime, we ask for patience, fairness, and understanding. Jaime Munguia remains committed to clean sport and is fully cooperating with all parties until this process is concluded,” - the statement said.

On May 3, Munguia defeated Bruno Surace by unanimous decision in their rematch, but Sample A taken post-fight showed the presence of exogenous testosterone metabolites. Munguia has 10 days to request the analysis of Sample B.

If the B sample also returns positive, Munguia faces suspension and the bout may be ruled a no-contest.

Notably, Munguia began working with Eddy Reynoso, the trainer of Canelo Alvarez, shortly before the Surace rematch. Several fighters associated with Reynoso’s camp — including Julio Cesar Martinez, Oscar Valdez, and Ryan Garcia — have previously failed drug tests. Canelo himself was suspended for six months in 2018.