Former light-welterweight champion, Amir Khan, has been handed a Two-Year All-Sport ban after testing positive for the anabolic agent ostarine.
UK anti-doping announced on Tuesday that Khan tested positive following his loss to Kell Brook in February 2022 in Manchester. Ostarine is a drug similar to testosterone.
Khan announced his retirement in May 2022. He later said that he had not intentionally ingested the substance in question.
“I would never cheat. I’m a retired fighter. I’ve got a two-year ban now which is quite strange and funny that they banned me. I’ve already retired. I’ve no comeback plans at all,” said Khan. He had been informed of his positive result in April 2022. At the time, he was given a provisional suspension.
He retired with a 34-6 professional record. The National Anti-Doping accepted his submission that he had not taken the substance intentionally but implemented the ban for strict liability.
“You can see by my performance against Kell Brook wasn’t the best. I lost the fight. If I went in there and knocked Kell Brook out it’s different,” added Khan.
“I’ve never cheated in my life. I’m the one that wanted testing on that fight. Also, the amount that was in my system could have been by shaking people’s hands. I don’t know the drug that was in my system.”
UK Anti-doping Jane Rumble said, “This case serves as a reminder that UKAD will diligently pursue anti-doping rule violations in order to protect clean sport.”
Khan had become a household name in the UK after he won the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was just 17 at the time.
