Kid Galahad's two-year ban upheld

British super bantamweight contender Kid Galahad has had his appeal against a two-year suspension rejected by the UK Anti-Doping agency.

The 25-year-old was the reigning European and Commonwealth champion when he tested positive for the banned steroid stanozolol after beating Adeilson Dos Santos for the vacant IBF youth super bantamweight title in September last year.

Galahad claimed he was spiked by his brother, who admitted this with a sworn affidavit.

But UKAD's appeals panel were not convinced by the brother's admission and concluded that "on the evidence before this tribunal the athlete has not established on the balance of probabilities how the prohibited substance entered his body."

His ban is backdated to the date of the test, he was disqualified from the Dos Santos fight, and had to forfeit his prize money.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: "Kid Galahad is one of the country’s leading boxing talents and through his own actions he has jeopardised his promising career, and his reputation.
"All athletes, at all levels, need to understand the importance of Strict Liability. They are solely responsible for any banned substance that is found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was an intention to cheat or not.
"The principle of Strict Liability can be challenging for an athlete. They have to ensure that they understand the anti-doping rules and that their family, friends, coaches and athlete support personnel understand them too.
"They need to be aware of the risks their career faces if they test positive, and manage that risk at all times."