On This Day in Boxing History
September 27th
by Fernando Vargas
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Dear Mr. Ratner

I have been told that a test result has come back positive for an anabolic steroid.

I want you to know that I am shocked.

I did not knowingly take any prohibited substance, much less a steroid.

I had professionals in my camp and I was given many nutritional supplyments each I tood what I was given and did not think to question, because I relied upon and trusted those around me. I know that steroids were banned and that therewould be testing. The others responsible in my camp knew the same. I am upset beyond words that a positive test has been received.

Thus far I have done the following:

A) I have directed that my representatives attempt to get to the bottom of this and attempt to find out how and by whom I could have been given a steroid.

B) My representatives have been contacted by Dr. Margaret Goodman, who recommends a liver test. I have contacted, through my representatives, Dr. Robert Voy, who I understand to be an expert in these matters, and he has advised as to the tests I should take. I will do so as soon as possible.

C) I am going to ask Dr. Voy to prepare a report on the impact that any finding might have had on my performance in the De La Hoya bout. In this regard I ask that you authorize the laboratory to share information with him to the extent he needs any information.

D) I will take all additional actions necessary as the facts develop. We are in a fact-finding stage at this point.

I would like your help. I am told that samples are routinely split, so that if a sample comes up positive another sample can be tested to eliminate laboratory error. We may have to confront people and in that context we would like to be able to say that the second sample was tested so that we know there was no error. Therefore, I request that you have the second sample tested for steroids for this purpose. I will be happy to pay any cost involved.

This is a very sad situation for me. I trained hard and the bout was a big one for me. While I lost, I thought I lost with honor. Now someone's stupidity threatens to take even that away from me.

I have always cooperated with the Commission. In all of my many bouts in Nevada I have never before had a positive on any drug test. I could easily, if I had wanted to have, avoided the drug test that evening since I was taken to the hospital before the drug test was taken. I actually went out of my way to get the drug test taken after I was released. I could have simply gone back to the hotel, and I'm sure no one would have questioned that under the circumstances. Instead I went to a laboratory to give the urine sample. I hope you will take this as evidence that I cooperated fully with the Commission and had no reason to believe that a positive drug test could result.

Again, I am sorry that this has occurred. I promise you I will do everything I can to get to the bottom of the matter and, to correct the situation.

Very truly yours

Fernando Vargas