Major boxing returns to Brooklyn on Saturday night, but the night's main event is now in jeopardy. Multiple outlets are reporting that WBC and WBA Light Welterweight challenger Erik Morales may have tested positive for a banned substance, as the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it found "irregularities" in Morales' system when testing him for his fight against Danny Garcia at Barclays Center. Golden Boy Promotions says for now that the fight is still on, but Morales' second sample is due to come back on Friday, and an official decision is expected to be made.
The 36-year-old Morales (52-8, 36 KOs) is hoping to avenge his March loss to Garcia, who enters the fight off a career-defining win over Amir Khan back in July. The undefeated Garcia (24-015 KOs) has become one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, and is one of the top guns in the 140-pound division after his dramatic knockout of Khan. Garcia also owns wins over Morales, Kendall Holt and Nate Campbell.
If the fight is canceled, chances are Brooklyn-born Paulie Malignaggi (31-4, 7KO) would headline the night in his WBA welterweight defense against 23-year-old Pablo Cesar Cano (25-1-1). Two other world title fights are on tap for the show, as Peter Quillin (27-0, 20 KOs) challenges Hassan N'Dam (27-0, 17 KOs) for the WBO Middleweight title, and Randall Bailey (43-7 37 KOs) faces Devon Alexander (23-1, 13KOs) for Bailey's IBF Weltwerweight title.