Kownacki on Cusumano dirty drug test: 'Devastating' he 'cheated'

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Matchroom Boxing announced on Tuesday that heavyweight Joe Cusumano tested positive for a banned substance after to his biggest win, a brutal eighth-round upset knockout of onetime contender Adam Kownacki on June 24 on DAZN at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

While the substance was not identified, a source with knowledge of the testing told Fight Freaks Unite that the result came back on Friday and was the result of a post-fight urine test.

“Matchroom can today confirm that Joe Cusumano returned an adverse analytical finding as part of an anti-doping protocol mandated by the New York State Athletic Commission following his bout with Adam Kownacki on 24 June,” Matchroom Boxing said in a statement. “We understand a process is underway with the New York State Athletic Commission and Matchroom now defers to the applicable regulatory authorities on the next steps.

“Whilst we are disappointed by the news, this affirms Matchroom’s ultimate desire to regularly test active fighters and ensure we continue to promote a clean and fair sport for all athletes. We will not be making any further comment.”

The New York commission likely will suspend and fine Cusumano and change the result of the bout to a no contest.

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Kownacki, who lost his fourth fight in a row, three by knockout, was upset by the news, noting that two of his other losses also came to an opponent, Robert Helenius, who also recently tested positive for a banned substance related to his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua on Aug. 12.

“Finding out that my opponent tested positive for PEDs is shocking,” Kownacki told Fight Freaks Unite. “I have supported random testing and signed up for the WBC random testing when they announced the program. We risk our health in the square circle. Knowing someone has the edge and takes PEDs is heartbreaking. We do not ride bicycles or hit baseballs. We are in the hurt business and finding out someone cheated to beat you is devastating.

“I have a family to support. After a fighter takes losses your value goes down and making the climb back to the top in boxing is hard. Knowing two of my past opponents I have losses to tested positive for PEDs in recent times shows that promoters need to do more testing and keep boxing clean.”

Kownacki (20-4, 15 KOs), 34, the popular Polish big man from Brooklyn, and Cusumano put on a very violent fight in which Kownacki got knocked down in the first round and was fortunate to make it out of the round. It was such a violent affair that the ringside doctors checked on both fighters in their corners after the fifth round.

Cusumano (22-4, 20 KOs), 35, of Danville, Virginia, eventually took command and relentlessly punished Kownacki until his corner finally threw in the towel while the ringside doctor was simultaneously telling referee David Fields to stop it during the eighth round.

The bout was on the undercard of super middleweight contender Edgar Berlanga’s decision over Jason Quigley.

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Kownacki-Cusumano photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing

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