Boxing star Claressa Shields will face no disciplinary action for testing positive for marijuana after Michigan officials cited evidence that a ‘procedural error’’ occurred during the oral fluids test, according to a ruling issued Tuesday and obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
‘FAULTY TEST!!!” Shields wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ‘Evidence proved it! The Suspension was lifted a few days ago and now Today the Complaint was closed! I’m officially Cleared!’
Shields’ suspension, which took effect Feb. 12, was dissolved Friday by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission (MUCC), which regulates boxing. But the ruling left Shields facing possible enforcement action and the matter unresolved.
On Tuesday, however, the two-time Olympic gold medalist received notice that the matter had been closed and no disciplinary action taken “following receipt of additional evidence that a procedural error occurred during the collection of Respondent’s oral fluid specimen.’’
Shields, 29, tested positive after her Feb. 2 against Danielle Perkins in her hometown of Flint, Michigan. She was randomly drug tested, in adherence to MUCC rules, after beating Perkins by unanimous decision and becoming the undisputed women’s heavyweight champion.
Turmoil followed when Shields learned Feb. 7 she’d tested positive for marijuana, according to the boxer.
Marijuana is legal in Michigan but a banned substance in competition for boxers.
No information about evidence of a ‘procedural error” was included in the final ruling, signed by Caitlin Keene of the Licensing Regulatory and Affairs (LARA), which works with MUCC on disciplinary matters. But attorney David Slutsker, who represented Shields, cited possibilities. During the testing, he said, a swab broke in Shields’ mouth.
‘There was no backup testing kit,” Slutsker told USA TODAY Sports. ‘The broken swab was placed on a possibly contaminated towel randomly lying on the testing table before being placed in the vial.”
Slutsker also said Shields should have been asked if she ate or drank anything 10 minutes prior to testing and she was not asked. He also said she was tested in ‘the aroma filled hallway,” which led to speculation that secondhand smoke could have triggered a positive test.
Although Slutsker said he was unsure about what evidence led to the favorable outcome for Shields, he said of the month-long ordeal, ‘Just pleased and very satisfied with this result. It was the right result.’’
Dmitriy Salita, promoter of the Feb. 2 boxing card in Flint where Shields (16-0) was drug tested, said he was pleased the situation is resolved.
‘Claressa Shields has always been a disciplined, dedicated, and professional athlete,” Salita said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. ‘… She remains focused on continuing to make history and elevate women’s boxing to new heights.’
