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The rematch between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley will carry a number of similar dynamics to their first fight.
That will include the absence of random drug testing.
BoxingScene.com has learned that any previous request for the involvement of Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) is no longer in play for the December 18 Showtime Pay-Per-View event at AMALIE Arena in Tampa, Florida.
“VADA is not involved in any testing leading up to or for the December 18th Showtime PPV event,” Dr. Margaret Goodman, the International Boxing Hall-of-Fame-elected physician and founder and chairperson of VADA told BoxingScene.com.
The second bout with Woodley (0-1 as a boxer)—a former UFC welterweight champ—came on short notice, replacing an injured Tommy Fury (7-0, 4KOs) earlier this week after the unbeaten Brit withdrew due to a bacterial chest infection and broken rib, the latter suffered during training for the planned eight-round cruiserweight contest.
Paul-Fury was to carry some form of random testing, including post-fight tests to have been performed by VADA. Not even that option is on the table for Paul-Woodley II.
Minor pre-fight controversy came from the first fight, when it was learned that pre-fight drug testing was not conducted by the Ohio State Athletic Commission. The Showtime PPV event took place August 29 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, where Paul claimed an eight-round split decision win. The main event and select undercard bouts—including Amanda Serrano’s WBC/WBO/IBO featherweight title defending win over Yamileth Mercado—were subject to post-fight drug testing.
All involved boxers tested negative as per results that were confirmed by the commission, in the wake of Woodley’s conflicting post-fight claims made on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
The subject once again came to the forefront during the buildup to the Paul-Fury grudge match. John Fury, the father to both Tommy and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (31-0-1, 22KOs) made unsubstantiated claims during an interview in late November alleging that Paul outright rejected pre-fight drug testing.
“He refused point plank,” Fury insisted. “We’re doing it. We’ve always done it. You can test a Fury every day and ten times on Sunday. Tommy has nothing to hide. Can I say the same about Jake Paul? I don’t know.
“We’re not going to bother about it. The opportunity is too good to turn down. We just want to enlighten people to all of this. In my book, if you refuse to do something, you’re guilty. We’re not refusing. We’ll sign up today. Man up, Jake. Sign up to VADA and level the playing field. We’re gonna beat you anyway. But if you’re the man you think you are, sign up to VADA.”
The claims were dismissed by Paul during a recent conference call, insisting that both he and Fury were tested multiple times thus far. Representatives from the Florida State Boxing Commission have yet to verify that information, although it was confirmed that VADA was previously contacted to handle at least post-fight drug testing.
The request was since removed by the Florida commission in the wake of Woodley replacing Fury.
Paul-Woodley II headlines a four-fight PPV event, once again featuring Serrano in the chief support. The Brooklyn-based Boricua faces Spain’s Miriam Gutierrez in a lightweight fight, two divisions above where she currently serves as a unified titlist as Serrano eyes a Spring 2022 superfight with Ireland’s Katie Taylor (19-0, 6KOs).
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox