Amir Khan reacts to boxing ban after testing positive for banned substance

Amir Khan has spoken out for the first time following the confirmation of a two year ban after testing positive for banned substances.

The positive test was conducted in the wake of Khan's sixth round defeat to Brook in Manchester last February and this morning judgement was passes on the Bolton-born former world champion. Having tested positive for ostarine, the retired fighter's ban will run from April 6, 2022 until April 5, 2024.

After the verdict was announced, Khan spoke to Sky Sports to state that he has never cheated, saying "I've never cheated, I'm a retired fighter," he explained. "You could see by my performance, my performance against Kell Brook wasn't the best performance.

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"I lost the fight - if I had gone in there and knocked Kell Brook out it's different. I've never cheated in my life. I'm the one who wanted testing on the fight."

Khan, 36, retired after the fight last year and the ban will not stop him from fulfilling an non-boxing related commitments. This means that his reality TV appearance on I'm a Celebrity All Stars in South Africa will not be affected , as well as his own show, 'Meet the Khans: Big in Bolton'.

A statement from UK Anti-Doping read: "Professional boxer and Olympic medallist Amir Khan has been banned from all sport for two years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the presence and use of a Prohibited Substance.

"On February 19, 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Khan after his fight against Kell Brook at the Manchester Arena. Mr Khan's Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for ostarine.

"Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor