Connor Coyle is officially ineligible to fight until mid-November – and only on the condition that he proves that he is a clean athlete.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the unbeaten middleweight is suspended until at least November 14 – nine months after his February 14 majority draw with Vito Mielnicki Jnr. Northern Ireland’s Coyle, 21-0 (9 KOs, 1 NC), was also fined $10,000 and forced to forfeit 20 per cent of his fight-night purse, which will be returned to event promoter Top Rank.
The ruling came as the result of an adverse finding discovered in Coyle’s post-fight urinalysis following his draw with Mielnicki, 20-1 (12 KOs, 1 NC), at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City. As previously reported by BoxingScene, the verdict was officially changed from a majority draw to a no-contest by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
“The New York State Athletic Commission (Commission) has reached a settlement with Connor Coyle following his bout on February 14th in New York State,” a NYSAC representative told BoxingScene in a provided statement. “Since the bout, Connor Coyle had been under suspension by the State Athletic Commission.
“Under the terms of the Consent Order, Mr. Coyle is subject to the following actions:
1. The Majority Draw decision has been changed to an official ‘no-contest’;
2. A fine of $10,000.00 has been imposed;
3. A portion of his purse has been forfeited;
4. He is required to provide three clean urinalyses demonstrating fitness to compete from a WADA-accredited lab; and,
5. His New York State professional boxer license will be suspended until at least November 14, 2025, and until such time as he completes all the aforementioned requirements.”
BoxingScene has learned that Coyle was originally on the hook for a one-year suspension. His legal team contacted NYSAC to request reconsideration, which was ultimately granted in part due to his cooperation on the matter.
Coyle failed to disclose any medication or supplements ingested prior to the bout, a violation of New York Codes Rules and Regulations Title 19 § 208.6(a). He also vowed to rectify the existing violation per the terms of the ruling.
During his suspension, Coyle will be required to submit three clean testing samples in random intervals but completed by no later than October 10, 2025. The first sample must be submitted within 30 days of the ruling that was issued to Coyle on August 11.
The second and third urinalyses must be performed at a considerable distance to confirm that he is a clean fighter throughout the process. The final sample can be submitted for collection as early as September 20 but no later than October 10.
Despite the specified nine-month period, Coyle will remain under suspension until all terms are satisfied to NYSAC standards.
The bout with Coyle marked Mielnicki’s debut at middleweight, after he campaigned at 154lbs for three years. Mielnicki, a 23-year-old from North Jersey, understandably did not take too kindly to the news of his prior opponent’s positive drug test.
“Connor Coyle suspended indefinitely for failed drug test,” Mielnicki posted on his verified social media channels. “Cheated the sport, cheated yourself, and STILL couldn’t beat me. Was a majority draw on paper (idk how) but still wasn’t on my level.
“Respect the sport, real fighters don’t need shortcuts! #CleanSport.”
Mielnicki, 20-1 (12 KOs, 1 NC), returned to the ring on June 21 in a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Poland’s Kamil Gardzielik. Their ESPN+ headliner took place in Newark, New Jersey - mere minutes from his Roseland hometown and where Mielnicki won every round on all three scorecards.
It was Mielnicki’s fourth bout under Top Rank, with whom he signed last summer. He is now unbeaten over his past 14 contests. His lone career defeat came in a majority decision to Jason Martin in April 2021, less than a month shy of just his 19th birthday.
