Report Puts Whitaker Bout In Jeopardy Sources Say Champion Fighter Failed Drug Test

Pernell Whitaker apparently tested positive for drugs last week, putting in doubt his April 25 fight with WBA welterweight champion Ike Quartey, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

Whitaker’s co-manager, Shelly Finkel, said he was informed by Whitaker’s lawyer that the boxer failed a drug test, the newspaper reported in its early editions today. A second source, who was not identified, confirmed the positive result.

The lawyer, Pat English, however, said it was too early to make any statement about the test.

“I don’t have information as of yet,” English said. “We’re waiting it out to see what the situation is.”

Whitaker, 34, could be suspended for six months automatically if the test was positive.

Lou DiBella, the vice president of HBO Sports, which had planned to broadcast the Las Vegas fight, said he had received no official word on Whitaker’s test. But he added that he didn’t expect the fight to happen.

“We are proceeding as if it is off,” DiBella said.

Whitaker submitted to a random drug test last week under the terms of a settlement that lifted a previous suspension for a positive cocaine test last October.

Finkel said Whitaker took the random test last Thursday in which two samples were taken. He also gave two samples in a separate test as part of his prefight physical.

Finkel said he was awaiting the results of the second sample. When the first sample tests positive, the second sample is tested to ensure accuracy.

Whitaker, a six-time world champion in four weight classes, could not be reached for comment Wednesday by the newspaper. Whitaker does not have a listed number.

Whitaker was suspended after a positive test for cocaine following his victory over Andrei Pestriaev on Oct. 17 at the Pequot’s Foxwoods Resort Casino. Whitaker and English argued the test by the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Commission was flawed and convinced the WBA not to recognize the suspension.

The commission, while sticking by its test results, agreed to lift the suspension as long as Whitaker agreed to random drug testing.

Besides the possible six-month suspension, WBA rules would ban Whitaker from WBA title fights and rankings for two years.