Boxer Mauricio Lara has been banned for two years after failing a drug test prior to his rematch defeat against Leigh Wood.
Lara famously knocked out Wood in February 2023, and they had a rematch three months later, which Wood won on points, reclaiming his WBA featherweight title.
Since that rematch, Lara has only fought once, a draw against Daniel Lugo in Mexico in February of last year.
It has now been revealed that Lara failed a UK Anti-Doping test before his rematch loss to Wood, resulting in a two-year suspension from boxing.
The ban is retroactive to the start of his provisional suspension and will end on March 6th, 2026.
UKAD stated: “Mexican professional boxer Mauricio Lara has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for two years, following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.”
Lara tested positive for betamethasone, a substance used to treat inflammation and pain.
The 27-year-old claimed the positive test was due to a shoulder injection he received on May 12th leading up to the Wood fight.
However, Ukad stated that Lara’s explanation did not adequately explain the presence of betamethasone in his system.
Lara first gained prominence by knocking out Josh Warrington in 2021.
Their subsequent rematch ended in a no-contest due to a cut above Lara’s eye in the second round.
Lara defeated Wood to win the WBA title but lost it in their immediate rematch.
