Ex-World Champion Amir Khan Handed Two-Year Doping Ban

Former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan said he would "never cheat" after being handed a two-year ban from all sport for testing positive for a prohibited substance

Former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan said he would "never cheat" after being handed a two-year ban from all sport for testing positive for a prohibited substance. UK Anti-Doping said on Tuesday that Khan, 36, returned a positive result for the anabolic agent ostarine following his loss to Kell Brook in Manchester in February 2022. Khan, who announced his retirement in May last year, accepted a violation of anti-doping rules but said he had not intentionally ingested the substance, an argument accepted by an independent panel.

"I would never cheat. I'm a retired fighter. I've got a two-year ban now which is quite strange and funny that they banned me. I've already retired. I've no comeback plans at all," Khan told Sky News.

Khan was first notified of his own positive result in April 2022 and given a provisional suspension, with charges following in July after he had announced his retirement with a 34-6 professional record.

Following the hearing in January this year, the National Anti-Doping Panel accepted Khan's submission he had not taken the substance intentionally but imposed the ban on the basis of strict liability.