New York Boxer Suspended After Glen Burnie Bout!

This story doesn't involve a Beltway boxer but the situation took place after a Beltway card.

The Buffalo News is reporting that undefeated junior welterweight Nick "Hands Of Gold" Casal of Niagra Falls, NY tested positive for cocaine after a June 16 Ballroom Boxing card in Glen Burnie, MD.

Casal looked awesome in the bout, scoring a first-round knockout over Martinus Clay. After the card, everyone was talking about the 19-year-old's performance. He showed fast hands and devastating power.

According to the Buffalo News article written by noted boxing scribe Tim Graham, people around boxing, including the major rating organizations were starting to take notice. There is a Ring Magazine article on him scheduled to come out next month.

That may all change now. The Maryland State Athletic Commission has placed Casal on a six-month suspension, is forcing him to return his purse from the bout and changed his victory to a no-contest.

According to the article, those around Casal, including his parents and his manager, Shelly Finkel, say the positive test is an isolated incident and not indicative of addiction or even casual use. Casal's father Ray, who serves as his trainer, said the incident comes from hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Ironically, Casal's mother Lesli is a drug counselor and she has ordered her son to take four drug tests since his suspension. Each test has come back clean, she said.

Nick Casal (11-0, 1 NC, 10 KO's) has apologized for the situation, saying he has "disappointed so many people and I regret this more than words can say."

"I can only promise that I will rise above this with a greater understanding of what is really important to me, and I will never again let down the people who have loved and supported me through this time in my life. I truly am sorry for any hurt this has caused, and I will do my best to make this up," Casal told the Buffalo News.

The article says the Maryland suspension was handed down August 5, one day before Casal defeated Jose Roman on the undercard of the Jeff Lacy-Robin Reid championship bout in Tampa, FL. Technically, Casal fought while suspended which means the Florida State Athletic Commission could rule that bout a no contest, but probably won't because Casal's camp didn't learn of the suspension until after the bout.

As it stands, Casal was going to be on the shelf for awhile anyway. Casal caught an elbow during the Roman fight that opened a 13-stitch gash in his brow. As a result, Florida suspended him for two months.