Zambian Boxing Champion Handed Two-Year Doping Ban

Former WBC bantamweight champion, Catherine Phiri, has been suspended from all boxing activities for two years after testing positive for a banned substance.

The Zambian boxer tested positive for Furosemide in the hours following her defeat to Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Chiwandire back in February. The substance is not a listed Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) but the substance is banned.

Furosemide is a diarrhetic that helps athletes reduce extra fluid in the body in order to rapidly cut-weight ahead of the mandatory pre-fight weigh-ins. As such, it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.  

Phiri admitted her guilt on 10 May after her sample was sent for testing in South Africa.

The boxer helf the WBC bantamweight title between 2016 and 2017. Her record stands at 16 wins in 21, ten by knock-out, with all of her losses, including to Chiwandire, coming from the judges’ decision.

"I would like to apologise to all boxing fans and the nation at large for the negative publicity that comes with my suspension," Phiri said in a statement.

"In my boxing career, I have never taken any performance-enhancing drug. I have been subjected to numerous drug tests during a professional career spanning over 10 years."

A joint statement by Zambia's boxing board and the country's National Olympic Committee agreed with Phiri's assessment, stating that furosemide "is not a performance-enhancing drug".

Nonetheless, the substance - which helps to reduce extra fluid in the body - is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"During my preparation for my world title fight, I took a drug to help me lose weight quickly, not knowing that the drug was on the prohibited list," Phiri explained in her statement.

"I did this without the knowledge of my coach and manager. I deeply regret my actions."

"To my fans, I will be back!"

The ban comes amidst a week of controversy in Zambian sport. Just 24 hours prior to the announcement Nkana goalkeeping coach Mike Poto and striker Diamond Chikwekwe were banned for six months and four games respectively following a post-match assault on the referee at the end of Nkana’s 1-1 away draw against Mchange Rangers.