Russian flyweight Misha Aloyan has lost an appeal to have his 2016 Olympic boxing silver medal reinstated after he failed a drugs test.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement that the appeal against the Dec. 8 decision by the CAS Anti-Doping division had been dismissed and his results from Rio struck off.
Aloyan failed a test for tuaminoheptane, a stimulant, after undergoing an in-competition doping control on the day of the gold medal bout.
The Armenian-born boxer was a double world champion and 2012 bronze medallist.
The appeal panel said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) anti-doping rules afforded no discretion and disqualification was a "necessary consequence" of the rule violation.
"Accordingly, the CAS Appeal Panel dismissed the appeal and the disqualification of the results obtained by Misha Aloyan at the Rio Olympic Games stands."
IN OTHER NEWS: Michael Cole (4-0-1) is aiming for perfection when he competes for the British Title in his home county on BCB Promotions’ ‘Home Turf’ show at Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwick, on the 21st July.
The unbeaten 29-year-old has been handed the opportunity to box for a belt in only his fifth professional contest and he told bcb-promotions.com he is delighted to be able to do it in front of his home crowd.
“It is a dream come true for me and I can’t believe I have this opportunity so soon in my career. I can’t even put into words what it would be like for me to win that title in front of my fans. It is all I am focused on right now. Everything has to be right before I get in the ring that night and I am working on making sure that is the case.
“As an amateur I used to love the big fights and I like to get involved in it and grasp the opportunity. When I hear all my support and I know that everyone has come and paid to watch me, I know I can’t let them down and I am just focused on getting the win. Boxing is a mental thing and everyone there cheering for me will spur me on and it will help me to put everything into the fight.
“I am happy with how things have gone so far in my career. The only frustration is I can’t seem to put everything together. In my first fight I showed my power, then in the second fight against Kristian Laight, who is very tricky, I was making moves on him and boxing smart. All the stuff I had practiced in training I put in the ring but I didn’t have the power there that night.
“So in this fight I want to put it all together and have the power and the movement and I think with the eight rounds, I will definitely get a chance to do that.”
The Southpaw has recorded four wins and a draw since turning pro but far from trying to protect his unbeaten record, Cole is adamant he wants to keep the big fights coming and test himself against the best.
Tickets are priced at £ £60 VIP Ringside to include a two-course meal. They are available by calling the boxers direct or 01926 859 331.