Boxer Maccarinelli handed six-month drugs ban

FORMER world cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli has been banned for six months after failing a drug test, UK Anti-Doping can confirm.

The 31-year-old from Swansea is banned from all sport until October 18 having tested positive for methylhexaneamine (MHA) after winning the British cruiserweight crown in March.

The banned substance was found following Maccarinelli’s controversial points victory over Shane McPhilbin in Wolverhampton – the Welshman has since relinquished the title he won that night.

“This is a timely reminder that, no matter what your sport, under the principle of strict liability athletes must exercise extreme caution over what they put into their body,” said UK Anti-Doping Chief Executive Andy Parkinson.

“With this in mind, Olympic athletes should be aware that they are now in-competition from 16 July until 12 August and could be tested at anytime, anywhere.

“MHA is available in a range of supplement products, is banned in-competition, and can often be listed under a number of different names.

“UK Anti-Doping continues to work closely with the British Boxing Board of Control to maintain the integrity of the sport.”

Methylhexaneamine, marketed as a dietary supplement, is banned in competition under category S.6b, Specified Stimulants. It is commonly found in nutritional supplements which claim it can promote mental and physical performance and aid weight loss.

Maccarinelli’s six-month ban will again call his long-term future in boxing into question.

He was out of the sport for more than a year after a crushing defeat by Alexander Frenkel in September 2010 before knocking out Gyorgi Marosi inside a round.

He won one more bout in February this year before outpointing McPhilbin on March 23 but only after a highly controversial intervention from the timekeeper at ringside, who, after Maccarinelli had been floored in the first, ended the opening round 47 seconds too soon.

*It is also reported that Maccarinelli’s former coach, Enzo Calzaghe, has had his training licence restored by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The 61-year-old wasn’t permitted a new one earlier this year because he hadn’t taken the BBBoC’s first aid course. However, he took the course on June 7 and is now a fully licenced trainer again.