'Steroids rife in South African boxing'
Drug-busters slapped a South African boxing champion with a two-year ban and then warned that a growing number of local fighters are taking steroids.
Trainer Nick Durandt, left, and his boxer Matima Molefe celebrate following the Duncan Village fighter’s demolition of Simphiwe Tom earlier this yearChampions are made through hard work in the gym
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- Tshabalala could face ban after doping test
- 'Shocking' rise in number of South African athletes who are doping
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Matima Molefe's urine tested positive for traces of Nandrolone, an anabolic agent, after he stopped Simphiwe Tom in the second round of a showdown for the vacant SA featherweight crown in East London on May 29.
The two had fought a few years earlier when Tom had won a four-round decision.
SA Institute of Drug-Free Sport (Saids) chief executive Khalid Grant said on Tuesday that drug abuse by professional boxers was becoming rife, with four positives out of 87 tests from April 2010 to March 2011.
Pugilists were turning to steroids in the "misconception that steroids alone will enhance their performance and give them additional strength and power".
“Boxers are not only increasing their risk by using sports supplements, but are also wasting their money as the boxing performance gains are minimal,” said Galant, adding the promised performance gains of sports supplements and steroids had little bearing on improved boxing skills.
“We hope boxers will learn from these doping bans being handed down that champions are made through hard work in the gym and will not be found in some capsule or muscle powder drink.”