Panel: How do you feel about watching or supporting boxers who have failed a performance-enhancing drug test?

Wayne Alexander (Former European super-welterweight champion)

As lengthy as they have put their arms up and admitted their guilt as quickly because the check comes again optimistic, they need to take the punishment – whether or not it’s a positive or a ban, or each – and be ready for random assessments in future. If it occurs once more, they need to be banned for all times. Everyone is entitled to a second probability, although, as a result of typically it isn’t 100 per cent the fighter’s fault, what with the potential for contamination and spiking, and so forth.

Michael Conlan (Featherweight contender)

I feel it’s mistaken and I can’t assist them. We are in a sport the place individuals’s lives are in danger each time they step into the ring. It’s already very harmful with out PEDs, so if somebody has knowingly taken one thing a lifetime ban ought to be enforced. Even if unknowingly, they need to nonetheless obtain a ban.

Gary Logan (Former Southern Area welterweight champion)

I watch the suspected cheats or these who have failed assessments with an indifference now. My fandom and my admiration for them has actually been affected by failed assessments. Something about them is now tainted. I by no means watch them reside and I by no means purchase their pay-per-views. Instead, I’ll watch the combat a few days later merely from a technical, coach’s perspective.

Gareth A Davies (Journalist)

Brilliant query, and one you have to wrestle with as a correspondent. Huge gray space, right here. But PEDs are banned for a purpose. As everyone knows, boxing is an inherently harmful sport. Timely reminder, furthermore, given what’s going on with Conor Benn, which has change into a wider subject for the game up to now six months. At some level you have to forgive, however you can’t neglect.