UKAD Bans Boxer Who Died In March

UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) has had to backtrack after issuing a ban to a boxer who had passed away.

Mexico’s Moises “Taz” Calleros, 37-11-1 (20 KOs), suffered a suspected cardiac arrest on March 1, and UKAD later announced that he was banned for a positive result following his fight with Galal Yafai in April 2023 at London’s O2 Arena.

Calleros was dropped once and stopped in four rounds by the talented Olympic gold medalist, and he responded in December when scoring a one-round win in Mexico.

He tested positive for cocaine, and UKAD initially released a statement about the development.

“Mexican Professional Boxer Moises Calleros has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for four years, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance,” it read.

“Mr Calleros was tested by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on 1 April 2023 after his bout against Galal Yafai at the London O2 Arena. Analysis of his Sample revealed the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine. Cocaine is prohibited In-Competition. It is also categorised as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List.

“UKAD notified and charged Mr Calleros with ADRVs for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance and provisionally suspended him. The case was then later referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) to determine whether the ADRVs were proved and, if so, the appropriate Consequences.

“The NADP concluded that Mr Calleros had committed both ADRVs and issued the boxer with a four-year ban from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport. While shorter bans are available for athletes who can establish that cocaine use or ingestion took place Out-Of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport, Mr Calleros did not put forward evidence to meet those requirements.

“Mr Calleros is entitled to credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended, so his ban is deemed to have commenced on 8 June 2023 and will end at midnight on 7 June 2027.”

Former opponent Yafai replied to UKAD’s post on X with: “”He passed away in March if you didn’t know already! RIP.”

UKAD then issued a further statement that read: “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.

“Unfortunately, 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.”