YET another Eastern Cape-born South African champion has tested positive for a banned substance.

Viwe Mdletyeni's future as a South African lightweight champion is in doubt after the Mthatha boxer failed a doping test.

A urine sample taken from Mdletyeni soon after he dethroned former SA champion Thompson Mkowana last month showed traces of a banned substance.

Though officials from Boxing South Africa (BSA) are reluctant to reveal the substance, the boxer's handlers have already been told about the failed test.

The South African Institute for Drug-free Sport (Saids) wrote to BSA last week informing them about the results of Mdletyeni's urine test. Mdletyeni has two choices - to ask for a B sample to be tested or face a Saids hearing, which might decide his future in the fistic sport.

Ngconde Balfour, the chairperson of the BSA board, confirmed the news.

Mdletyeni's manager Kholekile Cishe said yesterday: "We have been informed about the sad news and we are still shocked because we don't know how the banned substance got into Viwe's system."