Boxers urged to refresh anti-doping awareness

England Boxing Chief Executive Officer Gethin Jenkins has urged all boxers to take extra care to ensure they stay clean and follow anti-doping regulations at all times.

His plea comes following confirmation that boxer Roseanna Cox has been suspended from all sport for a period of two years following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Ms Cox at a boxing gym on 29th March 2019. Analysis of Ms Cox’s Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for furosemide.

Furosemide is classified under section S5 of the 2019 WADA Prohibited List under Diuretics and Masking Agents.

“We are fully behind the UKAD programme which is integral to ensuring that the integrity of our sport is protected,” said Jenkins.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each competing boxer to keep track of what goes into their own body. This applies to all boxers who compete at all levels, not just those boxing at major championships or internationally.

“While we are in a period where the Coronavirus outbreak dictates there can be no competition, we would urge all boxers to use it as a chance to remind themselves of the anti-doping rules and also look through the prohibited list so they do not inadvertently put themselves in a position where they could be banned.”

You can find key anti-doping information on the England Boxing website here.

Ms Cox was charged with violating Article 2.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample”.

Ms Cox explained that she had taken steps to become a professional boxer prior to her test. However, she was informed in December 2018 that her application for a professional boxing licence with the British Boxing Board of Control had been denied due to concerns about a cyst on her brain.

She explained that as a consequence she considered her boxing career was over and when later tested by UKAD, she did not believe that she remained registered as a member of England Boxing.

Ms Cox added that she had taken prescribed furosemide in connection with a separate medical condition, prior to a fitness photoshoot in March 2019.

In light of the explanation provided by Ms Cox and the independent expert opinion obtained, Ms Cox’s ADRV is not deemed “intentional”, as that term is defined in the ADR.

Pat Myhill, UKAD Director of Operations said: “Becoming a member of a National Governing Body (NGB) means that athletes agree to abide by Anti-Doping Rules. As part of this, they are also subject to testing at any time, any place.

“Athletes are urged to update or consult their NGBs if their circumstances change. Athletes should never just assume that the Anti-Doping Rules do not apply to them.”

The period of Ineligibility set out in ADR Article 10.2.2 is two years, which commenced on 16 May 2019 and will expire at midnight on 15 May 2021.