In a surprising turn of events, former world title challenger Moises Calleros was handed a four-year ban for a doping violation, despite having passed away three months prior. The UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) agency confirmed the ban after Calleros tested positive for cocaine following his fight against Britain’s Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai in April 2023.
Calleros, from Coahuila, Mexico, had undergone a doping test after losing to Yafai by a fourth-round stoppage on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s points win over Jermaine Franklin. The analysis revealed the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine, substances prohibited in competition. Following an investigation, UKAD provisionally suspended Calleros and referred the case to the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), which ultimately issued the four-year ban.
The initial announcement did not acknowledge Calleros’ death, which occurred in early March 2024 due to a suspected heart attack at his home in Juarez, Mexico. His death was confirmed by his teammate, David ‘El Kenyano’ Galvan, and reported by OK Diario. Calleros was 34 years old at the time of his passing. UKAD later released a statement expressing their unawareness of Calleros’ death at the time of their decision and subsequently removed all case details from their platforms.
Moises Calleros had a professional boxing record of 49 fights, with 37 wins, 11 losses, and one draw. He fought for the WBO minimumweight title in 2018 against Japan’s Ryuya Yamanaka and faced current flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez in 2020. His bout with Yafai in 2023 marked his first fight on British soil, but also led to the doping controversy that unfolded posthumously.
UKAD’s handling of the situation underscores the complexities and potential oversights within the anti-doping framework, particularly when athletes are no longer able to participate in their defense due to unforeseen circumstances.
