
DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9711020332

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

SWEETPEA FAILED PREFIGHT DRUG TEST BOXER AND CAMP AWAIT DETAILS, DENY WRONGDOING

The boxing commission that regulated Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's recent fight in Connecticut has sent him a letter notifying him of a positive drug test for a banned substance.

Promoter Dino Duva said that as of Saturday morning, he had not seen the letter. An official with the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming and Athletic Commission would not provide Duva details without a written release from Whitaker to divulge the information.

The fight - which Whitaker won by decision over Russian Andrei Pestriaev - was at Foxwoods Resort Casino, located on an Indian reservation near Ledyard, Conn.

Duva first heard of a potential problem when a reporter called him Friday.

``I tried to call the tribal boxing commission and the only person I could get was the chief of inspectors,'' Duva said Saturday. ``He told me a letter went out Thursday about a problem with Pernell's urine test, and they can't release anything because it's between the commission and the fighter.

``Pernell was shocked when I called him. Hopefully, we'll be able to sort it out Monday.''

Whitaker co-manager Shelly Finkel said he did not know for what banned substance Whitaker allegedly tested positive, but he said Whitaker disputes the result.

``He said it's a joke, it can't be,'' Finkel said. ``I think he believes he hasn't done anything that would be a banned substance.''

Whitaker, reached at his home Saturday, said he had no reaction to the news.

``I don't want to talk about it right now, not until I get to the bottom of it,'' he said.

Finkel and Duva, the president of Main Events, said the company's lawyer Pat English drafted a letter Friday afternoon, which Whitaker signed, requesting that information about the drug test be released to Whitaker's promoter. Finkel said English also requested results of a backup test. The drug test was conducted at the weigh-in the day before the Oct. 17 fight.

Bruce MacDonald, a spokesman for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, confirmed that Whitaker has been barred from fighting at Foxwoods, but would not give the reasons for the suspension.

``There was an administrative suspension put into place this week regardng Mr. Whitaker,'' MacDonald said. ``Beyond that, I would refer questions to Mr. Whitaker or his organization.''

Both MacDonald and Finkel said Whitaker can appeal the suspenion by requesting a hearing.

The ramifications for Whitaker - a 13-year pro from Virginia Beach who has won six world titles - are severe if the test results stand.

``They can ban him for a period of time and they would change the result of the fight,'' Finkel said. ``I'd like to see what the particulars are before I jump to any conclusions.''

Whitaker, 33, also probably would lose his status as the World Boxing Association's top-ranked contender if the test result stands. The Pestriaev fight was a welterweight elimination bout, with the winner expected to get a shot at champion Ike Quartey in the spring. It's also likely any hope Whitaker has for a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya would evaporate.

``It's a drag,'' Finkel said. ``Hopefully, it will have a happy ending. It's a bummer until then.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic with color photo of Sweetpea

What's next: Whitaker has 30 days to appeal and request a hearing

before the Pequot Tribal Commission, which had jurisdiction over the

Oct. 17 fight with Andrei Pestriaev.

Possible penalties: If the result of the test is upheld, the

usual suspension for a first-time offender is six months. Whitaker's

victory over Pestriaev could also be overturned, and he would

probably lose his status as the World Boxing Association's

top-ranked welterweight contender.