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[presa]

By James Slater: Earlier this week, the sport of boxing was shocked by news of yet another familiar name being caught taking illegal stimulants. British heavyweight giant Larry Olubamiwo, known as “The War Machine,” was banned from the sport for four years, his pro wins overturned, due to his admitting to taking banned substances including growth hormones.

Along with the recent bad press fighters Andre Berto and Lamont Peterson brought the sport due to their own drug taking, the case of Olubamiwo brought boxing yet another black eye. The chiselled 33-year-old was thought to be one of boxing’s nice guys, and his admitted cheating upset many. However, Larry, in defending himself, says what he did cannot be classed as cheating, because he is not the only fighter doing it.

Far from it, big Larry says - in fact, in writing on Boxrec’s forum, the heavyweight claims there are vast numbers of his fellow fighters who are “on the stuff.”

“I felt I owed to the forum to say a few words,” he wrote (edit). “Yes I had been doping for six years but for most of you guys to think my opponents were not because of their physiques is quite ridiculous. Although I will not mention any names the majority of the boxers you all love so dear are on the stuff, fact and this is from me talking to them, seeing them buy the stuff or talking to their training personnel. Cheating is when you are the only person doing something and since I know that I wasn’t the only person doing it, it can’t be defined as cheating.

“A large minority if not majority of boxers are doping and the naivety of the public to think that mine is an isolated case is staggering. Also I am surprised I get so much stick but the guys I look up to in the sport like Roy Jones, Shane Mosley and James Toney who have all been caught don’t get as much stick.”

Olubamiwo went on to recall the infamous Evander Holyfield “Evan Fields” incident and he also claims Floyd Mayweather admitted to taking banned painkillers. Larry vowed to return to the sport when his ban has been lifted, and he also implored his critics to “walk a mile in my shoes before you judge me.”

Reading what Olubamiwo has to say, the first thing that entered my mind was, who are the other fighters Larry says he knows are also doping? Olubamiwo must be given credit for not naming these fighters, when it must surely have been tempting for him to have done so, in an effort to drag other boxers down with him. Is our sport really in as bad a shape as Larry says it is with regards to so many guys taking illegal stimulants?

It seems as though, just recently, week after week another big name is revealed as a drugs cheat. Listen to Olubamiwo or not, but it must be agreed - he is not the only one to have done what he has done with regards to PED’s. Neither will Larry be the last guy to get caught.

Article posted on 21.06.2012

[The Hurricane]

I can't understand why the author thinks Larry deserves any credit whatever for not naming others involved.  Of course I wouldn't expect him to post fighters names all over a boxing forum but if he had legitimate belief that fighters were cheating he could present the information to the BBBoC who could at least looking at ensuring said fighters were tested before/after their next fights.

The writers stance seems to be verging on the "it's not cheating unless you get caught" philosophy when the issue is something that's been brushed under the carpet in boxing for too long.

[cocksuckinknowitall]

Whilst I don't doubt he's telling the truth that he knows a few people who have cheated, to say that the large minority or even majority?  He's just trying to make himself look better.

[son of bonters]

So cheating isn't cheating, if other people are cheating as well??!! This guy is a joke.

[The Hurricane]

So cheating isn't cheating, if other people are cheating as well??!! This guy is a joke.

Really he should have said "cheating isn't cheating if you cheat but still get done in a round by John McDermott".

[mac-rebel021]

I can understand the mentality of Larry if he
knows for sure that others are also juicing,
why does he want to be at a disadvantage.
I believe him when he says its more a majority
than minority using PEDs


But in regards Larry using steroids all i can think
Of is the verve "now the drugs dont work, they
just make you worse".

[cocksuckinknowitall]

Really he should have said "cheating isn't cheating if you cheat but still get done in a round by John McDermott".

 

I wonder if he thinks that pies and chips are PEDs and knows how McDermott likes to feast on them!

[Tim2366]

we know.

[lurkyshaka]

Obviously Larry cheated, is a long time cheat and its a disgrace. And he is definitely trying to 'muddy the waters' here as he tries to defend his reputation from a pretty undefendable position.

However i will say this.....if i were fighting today i'd be looking around seriously and wonder what edges my competition were enjoying on me. The idea that you're fighting natural while everyone else is 'boosted' is obviously a concern. I now believe the problem is increasingly not one where the odd boxer tries to gain an edge on his rivals, but more they all assume their rivals are on PEDS so try and even the field by getting on them too. If you can't beat the cheats, then join em type philosophy.

Obviously none of us can say for sure what percentage of fighters are on stuff, but i'd say its quite clearly much higher than we'd have thought even just a year or so ago. Its not a tiny problem, its a deep rooted big problem.

But the artificial shit that some fighters are putting into their system are both an insult to the sport and extremely dangerous to their own long term health. Its got to be stamped out good and f***ing proper. Its one thing some sneaky weasel cheating on a cycle race, but its another entirely in a sport such as boxing where men are trying to bash each others heads in. In combat sports more than any other, morally it simply HAS to be a level playing field. That's the least we can expect.

The ban for Larry Olubamiwo sends out the right message cos it shows this crap won't be tolerated. But the rest of the boxing world has to adopt the same hardline stance. At the moment you get caught you might get a little ban, lose a strap and face a fine. But that quite clearly does not go far enough as the amount of fighters now getting caught with their hand in the steroid jar proves.

The cheats should be smashed to smithereens by the sport so that boxers all feel safe that they are operating on a level playing field, and the temptation to take something cos you think everyone else is, is removed.

[presa]

from what i read in the other article.. he was caught through a supplying companies records?

[cocksuckinknowitall]

The ban for Larry Olubamiwo sends out the right message

I'm not sure it does a 4 year ban for taking 13 illegal substances and intent to supply?

He should be dropped off the nearest proverbial cliff.  Lifetime ban, never allowed in any facet of the sport - trainer, corner man, or even a boxing gym.  That would be the right message.

[jimjack]

Firstly, cheating is operating outside the rules. You fuckin Mong...

Secondly, saying you know other people are doing it but won't say who makes you even fuckin worse. Peoples lives are at risk you tit.

Finally, you should have been banned for life. If not for the drugs then for the fact you are fuckin toss.

[Red]

He looks like Bob Sapp

[lurkyshaka]

I'm not sure it does a 4 year ban for taking 13 illegal substances and intent to supply?

He should be dropped off the nearest proverbial cliff.  Lifetime ban, never allowed in any facet of the sport - trainer, corner man, or even a boxing gym.  That would be the right message.

I agree, but its a lot better than in the states where its a little ban and a fine......least this effectively ends Olubamiwo's career.