Olubamiwo banned for dope violation

Heavyweight boxer Larry Olubamiwo has been banned for four years for multiple anti-doping rule violations.

Olubamiwo, from London, tested positive for the blood-boosting substance EPO on January 13 following a bout with Sam Sexton.

He later admitted to using 13 banned substances, including human growth hormone and anabolic steroids, over a six-year period competing as an amateur and professional boxer.

All his medals, titles, and points won in bouts since January 1 2006 have been forfeited. UK Anti-Doping said their investigation into Olubamiwo had emerged from intelligence provided by the US Drug Enforcement Administration relating to the trafficking of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone and insulin growth factor.

UK Anti-Doping chief executive Andy Parkinson said: "This is an extreme example of someone who has engaged in an intentional and uncompromising doping programme over a sustained period with little or no regard for his own health, the reputation of the sport he competed in, or his fellow competitors.

"The list of substances Mr Olubamiwo admits to taking is both alarming and disappointing. However, he is now banned for a period of four years thanks to information which informed our testing programme.

"This reinforces the fact that testing in the UK is targeted and intelligence-led, and that law enforcement has an invaluable role to play in the fight against doping."

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith added: "While this case is extremely sad for the boxing community as a whole, it demonstrates that cheats cannot hide and that doping will not be tolerated."