UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) announced on Tuesday that former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan had received a two-year ban from all sports after testing positive for a banned substance.
The 36-year-old Khan tested positive for the anabolic agent ostarine after defeating Kell Brook in Manchester in February 2022. Ostarine is a drug intended to produce effects similar to testosterone.
Although Khan announced his retirement in May of the previous year, he acknowledged the violation of anti-doping rules, maintaining that he had not deliberately ingested the substance. An independent panel accepted his argument following a hearing in January.
Khan’s ban began on April 6, 2022, when his provisional suspension was enforced, and will end on April 5, 2024.
After winning a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at just 17 years old, Khan became a prominent figure in the UK. He turned pro in July 2005 and secured the WBA light-welterweight title by defeating Andreas Kotelnik in Manchester four years later.
In 2011, Khan unified the WBA and IBF titles with a victory over Zab Judah. However, he lost his next match to Lamont Peterson, who tested positive for synthetic testosterone. Khan retired with 34 wins and six losses in 40 fights.
Jane Rumble, UKAD’s chief executive, emphasized that this case serves as a reminder of UKAD’s commitment to pursuing anti-doping rule violations to safeguard clean sports.
