Boxing: retired fighter given 2 years anti-doping ban

Former British professional boxer Amir Khan has been given a 2-year ban by the UK Anti-Doping office. UKAD said it found traces of prohibited substances in his urine following his defeat to Kell Brooks in Manchester in February 2022. This is despite the former Olympian retiring from boxing in May 2022.

According to UKAD which announced the punishment on Tuesday morning, it found traces of ostarine in the boxer’s urine.

However, the 2004 Olympic medalist found it bemusing while denying he ever cheated. He said, “I have never cheated in my life. You can see by my performance against Kell Brook, I lost the fight. If I went in there and knocked Kell Brook out it’s different”.

He said the amount of the prohibited substance found in his urine could have been a result of shaking people’s hands. “The amount that was in my system could have been by shaking people’s hands,” he explained.

Khan who announced his retirement in May 2022 told Sky News, “I’m a retired fighter, it’s funny they’ve given me a two-year ban now”.

Regardless of his current career status, the UKAD believes it will be a big lesson to all athletes. Jane Rumble, Chief Executive of UKAD said, “This case serves as a reminder that UKAD will diligently pursue Anti-Doping Rule Violations in order to protect clean sport”.

She added, “Strict liability means athletes are ultimately responsible for what they ingest and for the presence of any prohibited substances in a sample.

“It is important that all athletes and their support personnel, whatever level they are competing at, take their anti-doping responsibilities seriously. Not doing so risks damaging not only an athlete’s career but also undermining public confidence in clean sport.”

Ostarine is a type of drug called a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). Ostarine is not approved by the Food and Drugs Authority and is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It is sometimes found in supplements. People use it for athletic performance, involuntary weight loss due to illness, breast cancer, and many other conditions. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Amir Khan retired from professional boxing in 2022 after 40 fights of which he won 36 of them and lost six. Of the 36 fights he won, 21 were by way of knockouts with 13 coming by way of decision. He lost just one fight by knockout of his total of six defeats.

His ban will last till April 2024 following the confirmation of the results. He was given a temporary ban which was set to end on April 5, 2023.