Report: Canelo Alvarez Temporarily Suspended by NAC for Failed Drug Tests

The Nevada Athletic Commission suspended Canelo Alvarez temporarily after he tested positive for clenbuterol, the Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire reported Friday.

According to MMA Fighting's Marc Raimondi, the NAC will reconvene April 10 to discuss Alvarez's suspension, and Alvarez will have an opportunity to argue his case. 

The 27-year-old is set to fight Gennady Golovkin in Las Vegas on May 5.

Raimondi reported the positive samples were collected in February.

After the results were revealed in March, Golden Boy Promotions blamed tainted meat as the reason for the elevated levels of clenbuterol. Daniel Eichner, the director of the lab that conducted the tests on Alvarez's sample, added the results "are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination."

Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole shared the full statement:

Tainted meat has been a problem for athletes, with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency dedicating a page of its official website to warning those who were training or competing outside the United States. The World Anti-Doping Agency also published a statement in November 2011 in which it directed athletes to "exercise extreme caution with regards to eating meat when traveling to competitions in China and Mexico."

According to Raimondi, the NAC has suspended athletes for clenbuterol, so the reasoning behind his positive test may not spare Alvarez a suspension that would rule out fighting Golovkin.

Alvarez and Golovkin met for the first time last September, with judges scoring their fight a split decision.