Amir Khan has been handed a two-year ban from boxing after testing positive for a prohibited substance following his defeat to Kell Brook last year.
A urine test taken by the Bolton-born former light-welterweight world champion in the aftermath of the fight against Brook in February 2022 showed the presence of ostarine, which is a banned substance.
Khan was defeated by Brook in their catchweight fight in February 19 2022, with Brook's victory coming via a sixth round knockout. Both fighters announced their retirements in the aftermath of the contest.
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Khan - who announced his retirement from professional boxing not long after the fight - accepted he broke the rules but said it was not international. The 36-year-old’s ban, which applies to all sports, is deemed to have begun on April 6, 2022 and runs until April 5, 2024.
A statement from UK Anti-Doping read: "Professional boxer and Olympic medallist Amir Khan has been banned from all sport for two years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the presence and use of a Prohibited Substance.
"On February 19, 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Khan after his fight against Kell Brook at the Manchester Arena. Mr Khan's Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for ostarine.
"Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). The substance is listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List as an anabolic agent and is prohibited in sport at all times."
In announcing his retirement last May, Khan said: "It's time to hang up my gloves. I feel blessed to have had such an amazing career that has spanned over 27 years. I want to say a heartfelt thanks and to the incredible teams I have worked with and to my family, friends and fans for the love and support they have shown me."
Khan burst onto the scene at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, winning a silver medal at just 17-years-old. He then cemented his role as one of the country's most recognisable boxers with appearances on 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!', as well as his own show, 'Meet the Khans: Big in Bolton'.
Khan's ban comes six months after the cancellation of Conor Benn's fight against Chris Eubank Jr, with their contest having been called off due to Benn having tested positive for banned substance clomifene. While there was a ban from the British Boxing Board of Control, there was no official ban handed to Benn and he is expected to re-enter the ring later this year.
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