Former two-time World heavyweight title challenger Eric Molina (26-5-0, 19 KO’s) has been suspended for two years following findings that he tested positive for the banned substance dexamethasone.
Molina, who gave the positive sample the day after his third-round TKO loss to WBA/WBO/IBF World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on December 10th 2016, was slated to face Mariusz Wach later this month – the bout has now been cancelled and Molina will be suspended until October 27th 2019.
Nicole Sapstead, the UK Anti-Doping Chief Executive stated: “Every athlete is solely responsible for what is in their system and must adhere to the strict liability principle.
“All athletes at any level should familiarise themselves with the WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) Prohibited List and ensure they do not put themselves in a position where they may breach anti-doping regulations.”
With the 36-year-old Molina having already failed in his two attempts at World honours (his first in a competitive ninth-round KO loss to WBC champion Deontay Wilder) and now facing a lengthy ban, it is difficult to see a future for him in the sport.
In a statement issued, Molina said:
“It’s an anti inflammatory that was from a b-12 injection. I never paid much attention to it. I thought to myself how can I get banned 2 years for an anti inflammatory and others get 6 months for actual steroid use.”