Dmitriy Salita, the promoter of Jarrell Miller, Claressa Shields and more, has described as “a problem” the use of performance enhancing drugs in boxing.
Salita contributed to the selection of Miller as an opponent for Anthony Joshua in June 2019, but saw his fighter forced to withdraw and replaced by Andy Ruiz Jr after he failed three drug tests before what would have been the biggest fight of his career.
He failed a further test a year later, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled fight with Jerry Forrest in July 2020, but last month defeated Lucas Browne – who himself has previously been banned from fighting after testing positive for banned substances.
More recently the reputation of British boxing has been harmed by the cancellation of Chris Eubank Jr’s fight with Conor Benn after Benn twice tested positive for clomifene – a female fertility enhancer that raises testosterone levels in men – and the ugly fallout that followed him doing so, and the revelation this week that Amir Khan is serving a two-year ban for failing a test the day of his defeat by Kell Brook.
Salita unsuccessfully challenged Khan for the WBA super lightweight title in 2009, and asked if he considered boxing to have a problem with performance enhancing drugs, told ProBox TV: “One hundred per cent.
“I’m grateful for organisations like VADA [the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association], and I’m grateful that different network providers have demanded that many of the championship fights happen with drug testing, and I’m happy that these organisations are not politically influenced. That if the test is failed – that’s very important.
“It’s a problem. When fighters make money – not only fighters, athletes – and are able to access a higher level of expertise and professionals, people try to get away with it.
Salita continues to work with Miller, but he added: “For the purpose of clarity I’m against cheating and taking steroids. I’m against it in every way.”
