Former world boxing champion was suspended for four years after testing positive for cocaine…only for anti-doping authorities to discover he DIED three months ago
- A boxer has been suspended for four years after testing positive for cocaine.
- However, anti-doping authorities did not seem to know that he had died three months ago.
A former world title contender was suspended for a lengthy period after testing positive for cocaine, but anti-doping authorities learned he had died earlier this year.
Moises Calleros of Coahuila, Mexico, failed a drug test after losing to Britain’s 2021 Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai by fourth-round stoppage in April 2023 on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s points victory over American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin.
He returned to the ring with a first-round knockout in his homeland in December, but following an investigation into his failed test, the British Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) announced earlier today that he was suspended for four years by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP).
UKAD’s full statement read: “Mexican professional boxer Moises Calleros has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for four years, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the presence and use of ‘a prohibited substance.
“Mr Calleros was tested by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) on April 1, 2023 following his fight against Galal Yafai at the London O2 Arena. Analysis of his sample revealed the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine. Cocaine is banned in competition. It is also classified as a “substance of abuse” on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.
Moises Calleros (pictured) was given a four-year ban after testing positive for cocaine, but died in March
He tested positive for cocaine after his fight with Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai (left) last year
Yafai defeated Calleros by stoppage in the fourth round at the O2 Arena in London in April 2023
“UKAD notified and charged Mr. Calleros with VRAD for the presence and use of a prohibited substance and provisionally suspended him. The matter was then referred to the Independent National Anti-Doping Committee (NADP) to determine whether ADRVs were proven and, if so, the appropriate consequences.
“The NADP concluded that Mr. Calleros committed both ADRVs and issued the boxer a four-year ban from any sport that complies with the World Anti-Doping Code. Although shorter bans are available for athletes who can establish that the use or ingestion of cocaine occurred out of competition and in a context unrelated to sport, Mr. Calleros has not presented evidence to meet these requirements.
“Mr. Calleros is entitled to credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended, so his ban is deemed to have begun on June 8, 2023 and will end at midnight on June 7, 2027.”
However, they were completely unaware that Calleros had died in early March.
Later on Monday, UKAD issued another statement acknowledging its error, which said: “UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today received information regarding the death of Mexican professional boxer Moises Calleros.
“UKAD received this information shortly after publishing details of the outcome of a case involving Mr Calleros under the UK anti-doping rules.
“Unfortunately, UKAD had no information regarding the sad passing of Mr. Calleros at the time of publication and has now removed all details of this matter from its channels.”
Calleros died at the age of 34 following a suspected heart attack at his home in Juarez, Mexico, as reported OK Log.
He was found dead after his relatives lost contact with him and went to look for him at his home.
His death was confirmed by his teammate, David “El Kenyano” Galvan, who learned of Calleros’ death through the boxer’s wife.
Calleros’ positive test came after a fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s points victory over Jermaine Franklin.
Calleros fought 49 fights during his professional career, winning 37, along with 11 losses and one draw.
He fought for the WBO minimumweight title against Japan’s Ryuya Yamanaka in March 2018, but was taken out by his corner after eight rounds.
Calleros then fought current flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez in 2020, before facing Yafai last year.
It was his first fight on British soil, and he later tested positive for cocaine following the fight at London’s O2 Arena.
