Sam Soliman's team have released a statement regarding the claims that he tested positive for a "designer drug" in the aftermath of his upset decision win over Felix Sturm in IBF middleweight eliminator on February 1 in Germany.

By Team Soliman

Doping rules exist to prevent unfairness in sports, including boxing. We applaud them. However, when organizations violate their own anti-doping rules and procedures, as has happened in this case, honest boxers like Sam Soliman can be falsely accused and suffer serious reputational harm. Mr. Soliman did not commit any doping offense whatsoever. He did not consume any substance outside the IBF rules of his bout, and conducted himself honorably, diligently, and in full compliance with the relevant IBF anti-doping provisions.

The A-Sample did not test positive for any substance identified under the relevant rules, and testing of the B-Sample, as yet unopened, with identical results will in no way change that truth. The B-Sample should be opened by a licensed, trusted, and impartial laboratory in the United States and tested for the relevant, agreed-upon substances under the proper conditions. We look forward to Mr. Soliman’s full exoneration and the continuation of his career as an athlete of integrity.

Mr. Sam Soliman is represented by an international team of sports-law experts: Michael Bates, Esq. Melbourne, Kurt Emhoff, Esq. Brooklyn, New York, Rick Collins, Esq. Mineola, New York, and Prof. Dr. Rainer Cherkeh, Hanover, Germany.