UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) have had a key part in some huge boxing moments in recent years, but a controversial one has arose within the last 24 hours after they have a four year ban to a boxer who had sadly died earlier this year.
UKAD acts as the organisation responsible for conducting drugs tests within boxing and a number of other sports in the UK, and there have been some high-profile cases in recent years.
The most notable of those is the ongoing saga with Conor Benn, who since failing tests in the build-up to his planned fight with Chris Eubank Jr in October 2022, has been in a long feud with the organisation, and is still yet to fight in the UK nearly two years on.
Now, a new controversy has emerged, after it was revealed that UKAD had given a four year ban to Moises Calleros following his defeat to Galal Yafai last year, after subsequently testing positive for cocaine.
Sadly, it turned out that Calleros had passed away in March, meaning that UKAD had given the four year ban to a boxer who wasn’t even alive anymore. The organisation has now released a statement commenting on the matter.
“UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today received information regarding the death of Mexican professional boxer Moises Calleros.
“UKAD received this information shortly after publishing details of the outcome from a case concerning Mr Calleros in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
“Unortunately, UKAD had no information regarding Mr Calleros’ sad passing at the time of publication and has now removed all details of this case from its channels.”
Despite the tragic loss, the planned four year ban has brought to light a different matter, with fans comparing the length of the suspension with that of Ryan Garcia’s recent ban handed to him by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
Garcia failed tests for ostarine before and after his fight with Devin Haney last month, and has since been given a one year ban for the incident, meaning he will be eligible to fight again in April 2025.
Meanwhile, UKAD were set to hand out a four year ban for testing positive for cocaine, with many feeling that the disparity in bans by different organisation is something that needs addressing.
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