FORMER world featherweight champion Mauricio Lara has received a two-year doping ban.
The 27-year-old from Mexico City currently has a 33-fight record with 28 wins, three losses and two draws.
His ban was announced today in announcement by UKAD and relates to Lara’s fight in the UK on May 27, 2023. That night at the Manchester Arena Lara had been due to defend his WBA 126lbs world title against Leigh Wood. Three months earlier Wood was stopped in seven rounds by Lara during an action-packed encounter.
The rematch, however, was not without controversy even before a punch was thrown. At a check weigh-in during fight week Lara came in heavier than expected. The British Boxing Board intervened informing Lara he could not weigh any less than 128.6lbs for health and safety reasons. On the day of the weigh-in Lara weighed 129.8lbs and as a result was stripped of his title.
Wood dominated his rival in the rematch winning a wide decision on all three scorecards. Afterwards Lara was tested by UKAD and analysis of the sample showed the presence of betamethasone, ‘a glucocorticoid that is prohibited In-Competition when administered by any injectable, oral or rectal route.’
UKAD invited Lara to explain the reason behind the positive test and in a letter from the fighter’s doctor it detailed how on May 12, just over two weeks before the fight, he received an out-of-competition injection of dexamethasone following an injury to his shoulder whilst sparring.
A scientific expert was instructed by UKAD to look into the explanation given and found that the administration of dexamethasone did not account for the betamethasone in his post-fight test.
Lara was notified by UKAD he may have committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations and imposed a provisional suspension. He was then charged with the commission of both ADRVs. Lara, however, could offer no other reason for the adverse finding.
Since the test after losing to Wood the Mexican has fought three times winning twice and drawing one. Lara drew with Daniel Lugo on February 16 last year but went on to win by TKO in the seventh and eighth round against Pedro Alejandro Delgado and Edwing Davila, respectively.
UKAD wrote in response to this matter, “UKAD is aware that Mr Lara has competed in professional boxing, in Mexico, since his Provisional Suspension being imposed on 7 March 2024. However, with professional boxing in Mexico not being a World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport, Mr Lara is not deemed to have violated the terms of his Provisional Suspension.
“UK Anti-Doping Rule Article 7.10.6 states “During the period of a Provisional Suspension, the Athlete…who is subject to the Provisional Suspension may not participate in any capacity…in any Competition, Event or other activity organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the NGB or by any body that is a member of, or affiliated to, or licenced by the NGB”.
The former champion’s ban runs from March 7, 2024 and expires on March 6, 2026.
