Heavyweight Boxer Tests Positive

James Toney was stripped of the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title for a positive steroid test following his victory over John Ruiz on April 30, 2005. Ruiz was reinstated as the champion. Toney maintained his innocence but declined to challenge the test result. His promoter blamed a legal cortisone-based product which Toney took to promote healing after biceps surgery, claiming the product was responsible for the metabolites of the anabolic steroid nandrolone detected in his system.