UKAD: No Maccarinelli Ruling Until Appeals Window is Over

By Terence Dooley

Rumours that Enzo Maccarinelli, 35-5 (27), has failed a doping test have swept the Internet over the past 12-hours. Unsubstantiated claims of have swirled that the former cruiserweight champ vacated his British cruiserweight title due to a positive drug test result prompted by the use of a legally purchased over-the-counter supplement.

However, UK Anti-Doping, www.ukad.org.uk , today told BoxingScene that allegations of a failed test cannot be confirmed or denied until “[A] sanction has been agreed and all appeal windows are over.  This is due to confidentiality restrictions imposed by the Anti-Doping Rules, and as such we are unable to comment further.” 

This leaves fans in the dark as to whether the hugely popular Welsh fighter failed a test, as well as the circumstances surrounding this alleged failure. However, the UKAD’s stance is understandable given the importance of ensuring that any appeals take place in a fair and objective environment. 

These allegations follow hot on the heels of heavyweight boxer Larry Olubamiwo testing positive for the use of  multiple substances as well as the revelation that Liverpool’s Tony Dodson failed a test for ingesting Methylhexaneamine via an over the counter supplement called Hemo Rage. 

Olubamiwo was given a four-year ban for his openly admitting to years of PED usage. The UKAD was far more merciful on Dodson, who only received a five-month suspension.

“[The] UK Anti-Doping is comfortably satisfied that the athlete did not use MHA to enhance his sporting performance,” a representative from the anti-doping organization stated when asked for clarification between the two instances. 

No official timeline has been given for when to expect an official ruling on Maccarinelli, or the severity (or lenience) of the punishment.

Maccarinelli called it a career in 2010 after suffering a knockout loss to Alexander Frenkel. The former champ decided that a little rest and weight loss was all that he needed, returning to the ring more than a year later as a light heavyweight where he twice fought in his comeback before returning to the cruiserweight division.

Maccarinelli has won three straight since his return, including twice climbing off the canvas to outpoint Shane McPhilbin and claim the British cruiserweight title this past March.

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