FORMER CRUISERWEIGHT KING, MACCARINELLI, BECOMES LATEST STAR CAUGHT IN THE DRUGS STORM CURRENTLY ENVELOPING THE SPORT.
By Peter Mann; RCM’s UK Boxing and Freelance Sports Writer
Having already relinquished his British Cruiserweight title in March this year, supposedly to drop down weight class into the Light Heavyweight division and face compatriot, Nathan Cleverly, Enzo Maccarinelli (35-5, 27KO) has found himself banned following his violation of the anti-doping laws within the sports environment.
Maccarinelli, whose statement below was released this past week, claims some understandable innocence at the charge that has been laid against him. He now though joins a worryingly lengthening list of British fighters whom are all presently serving bans for taking ‘banned substances’ in recent times. This particular list includes another cruiserweight competitor in Terry Dunstan and is alongside that of Heavyweight Larry Olubamino, Light Heavyweight Michael Banbula and Super Middleweight Tony Dodson.
The statement from Enzo Maccarinelli himself would read as follows –
“Following my fight against Shane McPhilbin in March, I was extremely surprised and disturbed to have tested positive for a banned substance known as Methylhexaneamine. I purchased a product called Dexaprine that contained this banned substance from a combat magazine. The advert stated that it was an approved substance and I checked the ingredients which had no reference to any banned substance that I was aware of. In fact, it also stated that it was suitable for athletes. I have since found out that this ‘fat burner’ contained a substance and consequently I failed a dope test, albeit with a very low reading. I wish to state that this substance was in no way used to gain any advantage in the ring or enhance my performance and whilst I appreciate that it may look that way, I would certainly never cheat or cut corners in my preparation. I have been tested over 20 times in my career and have never failed any random or post fight doping test, but on this occasion, due to my naivety, I have tested positive for a banned substance. I was contacted by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and helped them with their investigations, where I gave them both the product that I had taken, the container and also the advert from which I ordered these supplements. The explanation I gave which is reflected accurately in their formal decision is evidence that my intention was not to knowingly take a banned substance or to gain an unfair advantage in competition. I am very conscious of my reputation within the sport of boxing and even prior to the decision, that has been released today, I promised to fully accept any punishment that was given as a result of this positive test. Furthermore, I voluntarily vacated my British Cruiserweight Championship so to allow my opponent, Shane McPhilbin, the opportunity to re-challenge for it whilst I serve my 6 months suspension, as I could not bear the thought of holding such a prestigious championship if anyone thought that I hadn’t won it fairly. I have volunteered to assist UKAD in any way I can to prevent other boxers or sportsmen from being put in the same situation as I currently find myself in due to the availability of what appear to be perfectly legitimate supplements and manufacturers not making it clear on their products that they contain banned substances. UKAD have accepted my offer and I am determined to ensure, along with the British Boxing Board of Control that the awareness of such supplements is enhanced and others do not have to face the humiliation that I now have to. I would like to thank UKAD for their understanding and support in this matter and their punishment which I hope reflects the honesty in which I approached this situation. I would further like to thank Robert Smith of the BBBofC for his support and apologise to everyone involved in boxing for any stain on our great sport.”
It is the presence of the particular substance mentioned in the statement, Methylhexaneamine (MHA) which has caused the six month ban to be affected. An issue that is not lost upon his former Cruiserweight challengers. The main competitor that has found himself spotlighted because of the Maccarinelli incident is that of British title challenger, Shane McPhilbin.
McPhilbin (8-3, 5KO) was understandably irate with what has happened of late and he told Real Combat Media that “it’s a disgrace to the sport what he has done when doing something like that. The fact that he has taken drugs of any sort, to me, the ban he has received is too short and hasn’t really made much difference.”
That last point refers to the fact that Maccarinelli’s suspension was seen to be back-dated to April 19th, and lasting until October 18th. Granted it is still a six month ban but a ban that is ultimately ineffective in all honesty as Maccarinelli won’t have missed any fight opportunities, and has already seen some three months elapse as well.
“It’s more that he is a big name, because to me, if I had done this then I would have been banned for life and not the six months that Maccarinelli was given,” stated McPhilbin.
“It’s just a slap on the wrist for him (Maccarinelli) though.”
It was following Maccarinelli’s title bout with McPhilbin back in March this year that this incident has emanated. It was a bout that was much remembered for the time loss which, in all honesty, affected the outcome of the bout, after one of the rounds was stopped some 47 seconds early. It is another fact that is now completely lost on McPhilbin, who is due to face Jon-Lewis Dickinson for the British Cruiserweight title later this year.
“It has put a downer on me now because of it,” McPhilbin said.
“The fight between the two of us back in March has now made a mockery of boxing and was a farce. The whole situation has made me mad and annoyed. I don’t want to be given the belt back in such circumstances; I want to fight for it. It has made me train harder now to face Dickinson.
“Maccarinelli was a hero and someone to look up to before that fight, no more though.”
McPhilbin’s opponent for the vacant British Cruiserweight title, Birtley’s Jon-Lewis Dickinson (11-2; 3KO), meanwhile takes a completely different stance on the situation developing and sympathizes with Maccarinelli when saying “I actually believe what he has said so I do feel for him in a way. I believe that it was an honest mistake on Maccarinelli’s part.
“If he (Maccarinelli) had taken something stronger or intentionally then the ban would have been longer. There will be some reason which the boxing board has for only giving a six month ban and this was probably a show that they are cracking down on the situation, irrespective of the timing and the length of the ban handed out.”
Both Dickinson, and Matty Askin, stated their willingness to still face Maccarinelli though and Dickinson added “I was hoping to be able to get a fight with Maccarinelli for the British title as it would have been good to have that sort of name on my record. Who knows? It could be possible further down the line.”
Another of the British Cruiserweight fighters, Matty Askin (13-1; 9KO), was also irate at Maccarinelli’s actions and told Real Combat Media “Maccarinelli never made the weight anyway so how can he say that he was using fat burners? This is more so when Enzo Calzaghe has said that he won’t train him anymore and that in itself says that it is more than what has been said.
“The boxing board should have really given the title to McPhilbin and the situation is unfair on him
(McPhilbin) as he won that fight back in March and has now been done out of the title twice.
“Personally I do believe that he has taken steroids and this is just the easy way around the situation for him. As I’ve said, why take supplements to help with your weight when he has said in past interviews that he was struggling to reach and maintain his weight anyway? It just doesn’t make sense.”
Whereas Sunderland’s David Dolan (16-4-1; 5KO) admitted he personally knows nothing of the situation as a whole and, rightly so, doesn’t involve himself in matters of this specific nature. He added that “I just do things the old fashioned way, by training hard, eating healthily and drinking protein shakes.
“I don’t really get involved in such things.”
Regards to the Maccarinelli situation though Dolan also said “if he didn’t realize what he was taking or had done so unknowingly then he has just been unlucky.
“However, if people do get involved with drugs then they should be banned so if he has then he should be (banned), it’s just a matter of how long that band is for.”
But what of the substance, Methylhexaneamine and the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) stance on it?
The stimulant itself has been found increasingly in notable nutritional supplements over the past couple of years. The benefits of such a stimulant include that of increasing or aiding mental and physical performances and an aid for weight loss. It was placed on WADA’s prohibited list back in 2010 when it was classed as being a non-specified stimulant but was then re-classified last year as being a specified stimulant. The stimulant is actually banned in competition under what is known as category S6.b, Specified Stimulants.
A brief statement which was released by the UK Anti-Doping Agency’s Chief Executive, Andy Parkinson said that –
“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. 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.”
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