Report: Zbikowski's Boxing Suspension Overturned

Baltimore Ravens safety and professional boxer Tommy Zbikowski and his attorney/adviser Mike Joyce have just informed BoxingScene.com that the Chickasaw Nation Boxing Commission has overturned its 45-day suspension for the fighter.

On Saturday night, Zbikowski and four other boxers tested positive for marijuana, but the commission said afterward that it would reverse the decision if the athletes took another test that came back clean.

Zbikowski did so at an independent lab in Inverness, IL on Tuesday and turned in the negative results.

"I think that the commission did the right thing by lifting the suspension," said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. "The tests that were taken were very unreliable. Now Tommy has taken a proper test, and as a result, you know that he's clean. So they did the right thing."
 
TOM ZBIKOWSKI'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED TO BOXINGSCENE.COM:

"I just received official word that my boxing suspension has been lifted after producing a negative result from an independent lab. I am grateful to the Chickasaw Nation for acting in an expedited manner to clear my reputation," Zbikowski said.

"I had such a positive experience boxing at their world-class venue where I feel I gave my best performance yet," Zbikowski said. "The bout was especially meaningful to me because my whole family was in attendance and it was the first time my only niece Hannah was able to see me box."
 
Exclusive Q&A with BoxingScene.com

BoxingScene.com: Do you have any concerns about perception in regard to the initial postive test?

Zbikowski: Yes I was extremely concerned because perception is reality until you can prove otherwise.

BoxingScene.com: Are you grateful that the commission came forward and offered you an opportunity to come back with a negative test?

Zbikowski: Yes. I was very grateful that the commission came forward and offered all of the fighters who tested positive an opportunity to come back with a negative test. From what I was told, these types of strip tests can sometimes come back with false positives. Therefore, we were able to submit a more comprehensive test administered by an independent certified lab.

BoxingScene.com: What do you want to say directly to your fans?

Zbikowski: I just want to thank all my fans for supporting me and I want to let them know that I would never jeopardize my boxing career nor my NFL career by putting illegal or banned substances into my body. I am also very much looking forward to getting back with my teammates now that the lockout has been lifted.

Editor's Note: Lem Satterfield is a nationally known boxing journalist with BoxingScene.com and is also a regular Patch contributor.