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Even after retiring, Amir Khan still has to contend with the effects of a prior drug test result. The former unified junior welterweight champion and silver medalist at the 2004 Olympics received a backdated two-year ban from all sports for breaking UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) regulations. The suspension was a result of Khan producing a positive drug test after his knockout loss to Kell Brook on February 19 of last year. Ostarine, an anabolic substance used to promote muscle development, was found in traces in a post-fight testing sample. According to a two-year suspension that began last April when the testing organisation informed the boxer of its results, Khan will continue to be suspended through next April 5, according to a UKAD announcement. “Mr. Khan's two-year ban is deemed to have commenced on April 6, 2022 and will expire on April 5, 2024,” UKAD declared in a statement released Tuesday. When an athlete is caught with and unable to successfully defend having a banned drug found in their system, the penalty is reduced by half from what is typically imposed under its "Strict Liability" laws. In a thorough report, UKAD concluded that "the objective scientific evidence rules out any intentional or careless behaviour by [Khan]." “It is inconceivable that he would have sought to ingest a micro-dose which would have been a fraction, at least 1,000 times less of a dose intended to provide any performance enhancement or any other competitive advantage.” Bolton's Khan, who is now 40, has maintained his innocence, which actually accords with UKAD's conclusion. “I have never cheated,” Khan told Sky Sports upon learning of the ruling. "The amount that was in my system could have come from shaking peoples' hands. I don't know what the drug was in my system. I will give my views, but, like I say, I have never cheated in my life. I would never cheat. “I am a retired fighter. You can see by my performance against Kell Brook [that it] wasn't the best. I lost the fight. If I went in there and knocked Kell Brook out it is different. I have never cheated in my life. I am the one who wanted the testing done.” When the post-fight testing sample was taken and until Tuesday's decision, more than 13 months later, BOXXER, who organized the event, was reportedly unaware of what was going on. Khan's most recent victory came in July 2019, when he defeated former featherweight champion Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the fourth round of their welterweight match. With the loss to Brook, the well-liked British fighter's illustrious career came to an end. During that time, he had defeated eleven major champions, including six in real championship fights.

UFC superstar Dustin Poirier will make his debut as a desk analyst for the promotion this weekend at UFC 287. Dustin Poirier is one of the most popular fighters among his competitors. He's made quite a name for himself throughout his stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From interim champion to absolute warfare spanning two weight classes, 'The Diamond' never disappoints. We most recently saw him in action at Madison Square Garden, where he defeated Michael Chandler. Since then, there have been numerous speculations about his future in the Octagon. Poirier, for the time being, will make his first appearance as a desk analyst on Saturday night. The post-fight program will be hosted by Michael Eaves in Miami, Florida. Din Thomas, along with Poirier, will be on the panel. Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier will serve as commentators. Several have questioned Dustin Poirier's ability to compete at the highest level at the age of 34. He established that he can still compete against Chandler, but one has to ask how much more he needs to prove before getting a third shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight belt. A rematch with Justin Gaethje has been mooted as one option. The two have previously clashed, with Dustin emerging victorious.

Gabriel Silva, son of UFC legend Anderson Silva, is set to make his professional boxing debut on Friday, April 14 at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA. The event is promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions and will be broadcast live internationally on UFC Fight Pass. Silva, a 25-year-old native of Hawthorne, CA, will fight in a four-round middleweight bout. He has an impressive 8-1 record in professional kickboxing and has been training under the renowned Manny Robles. “I am very excited to be making my professional debut on April 14 at the Commerce Casino,” said Silva. “My trainer Manny Robles and I have been working very hard to put on a great show. Big thanks to my Dad for his support and to Tom Loeffler and 360 Promotions for this opportunity.” Anderson Silva is one of the most successful fighters in UFC history, and his son Gabriel is following in his footsteps. The elder Silva will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer, and his son’s professional debut is sure to draw attention from fans all over the world. “We’re very excited to announce the addition of Gabriel Silva’s pro debut to this almost sold-out event on April 14,” said Loeffler. “Gabriel has been training diligently with Manny Robles, and we’re looking forward to a great performance for the fans in attendance and those watching on UFC FIGHT PASS.” The event on April 14 is expected to be a huge success, with only 100 tickets remaining for sale. The main event features a cross-town rivalry featherweight showdown between popular, hard-hitting Omar Cande Trinidad and Adan Ochoa, scheduled for eight rounds. Boxing fans won’t want to miss this exciting night of fights, and the opportunity to see Gabriel Silva make his professional debut.

Frazer Clarke Withdraws from Next Rumored Fight Date Due to Injury British Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke has ruled himself out of his next rumored fight date due to an injury he sustained during his last bout. Clarke had been hoping to box on Boxxer’s May 6 show in Birmingham, which is headlined by his former amateur team-mate Joshua Buatsi, but he suffered a deep cut on his forehead after an early clash of heads against Bogdan Dinu. Clarke secured another stoppage victory against Dinu, needing only two rounds to dispose of him. But after the injury, the 31-year-old boxer has opted to prioritize his health and recovery, despite promoter Ben Shalom’s optimism that he would still be able to fight. “As a promoter, he’s very optimistic,” Clarke said in a recent interview with the BBC 5 Live Boxing podcast with Steve Bunce, “but I’m the captain of this ship and my priority is to have a healthy head. I don’t want to get any more cuts and we’re looking to the future and to longevity. If it’s right, I’ll box, but if it’s not –– and it’s probably not going to be –– it’s a no-go.” Clarke’s withdrawal from the May 6 show means he will have to wait for his next chance to step into the ring. Nonetheless, his undefeated record and impressive performances in his last six fights have solidified his status as one of the most promising prospects in British boxing.

Gervonta Davis Unimpressed with Ryan Garcia's Skillset The highly anticipated fight between two undefeated boxing stars, Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Ryan Garcia, is set to take place on April 22nd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. At the kickoff press conference at The Beverly Hilton, Davis and Garcia exchanged heated words, with Davis expressing his lack of concern for Garcia's skillset. Davis, known for his knockout power, declared that Garcia is a one-dimensional fighter who relies solely on his left hook. He challenged Garcia, asking what else he had to offer besides the one punch. Davis emphasized the importance of being a complete fighter and having multiple tools in one's arsenal, rather than depending on a single punch. Garcia has stopped four out of his last five opponents with his left hook, but Davis remains unimpressed with his resume. Despite this, Davis acknowledged that Garcia will be his toughest test yet in his 10-year career. He emphasized that the fight is about him getting over the hump and solidifying his status as a top fighter in the sport. The Baltimore-bred knockout artist also pointed out Garcia's vulnerability, referencing his knockdown by Luke Campbell. Davis confidently stated that he hits harder than Campbell and will be able to put Garcia to sleep in their upcoming bout. Davis concluded by urging fans to tune in for what he predicts will be an explosive fight. He encouraged those who cannot attend in person to purchase the pay-per-view, emphasizing that this is a fight that no boxing fan should miss. The stage is set for an intense showdown between Davis and Garcia, with both fighters putting their undefeated records on the line. Boxing enthusiasts around the world are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this highly anticipated matchup.

UFC President Dana White has spoken in on the groundbreaking news about the WWE and Endeavor. It has officially been established that the WWE and the UFC will operate as one corporation in the future. For the time being, the WWE and UFC's combined assets are worth a stunning $21.4 billion USD. Endeavor has apparently purchased 51% of WWE stock in order for this merger to take place. The announcement follows WrestleMania 39, which took place over the weekend. "I Am Excited To Take This To Another Level" - Dana White On The WWE-UFC Merger UFC President Dana White has previously spoken out on the topic. The UFC initially joined the Endeavor family in 2016. Seven years later, the UFC remains a hugely successful venture for the American holding company. According to White, the inclusion of WWE is a highly intriguing potential given the company's overall success over the last seven years. White believes that this triple threat of firms might be a momentous transaction in the years to come, complementing both WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel for their cutthroat, very successful business practices. While no longer holding an official creative position in the WWE, Vince McMahon is expected to play an important role behind the scenes as the wrestling company transitions to Endeavor.

Daniel Dubois can now make an attempt on a heavyweight championship. Making the fight materialise is all that's left to do at this point. According to various media outlets the Londoner is qualified to continue his profession without interruption because the WBA has medical information that has been completely verified and provided by Dubois and his team. The action was crucial in allowing the sanctioning to move forward with the plans to schedule a heavyweight championship consolidation fight between Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk, the current WBA, IBF, and WBO champion. “WBA Championship Committee chairman Carlos Chavez confirmed on Monday that its panel “ordered the bout between Heavyweight Super Champion Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. The organization sent the communication to the parties today with a 30-day negotiation period… ending on May 2.” Should the fight go to a purse bid hearing, Usyk would receive 75% as the WBA 'Super' champion and Dubois would receive 25% as the 'Regular' titleholder. Usyk is managed by Alex Krassyuk's K2 Promotions-Ukraine and multiple-time BWAA Manager of the Year recipient Egis Klimas, while Dubois is handled by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions and manager Martin Bowers. The development occurs after Usyk and lineal WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24KOs) failed to reach an agreement for what would have been the first undisputed heavyweight title fight of the twenty-first century. Months of hints from both parties about a possible springtime collision ended in a dead end.

Australian "Razor" Rob Wilkinson defeated Thiago Santos in his first PFL game and prevailed by a unanimous decision. Both were light heavyweight competitors. At PFL 1 of the 2023 season in Las Vegas, the two squared off in the co-main event. During the whole battle, Wilkinson's wrestling prowess was on display as the Aussie landed seven takedowns throughout all three rounds, accrued approximately five minutes of ground control time, and attempted submissions. Wilkinson displayed his superiority in the opening frame, taking down numerous times apparently at will. In the second round, Santos maintained composure and appeared to have high performance establishing his reach, but Wilkinson continued to be managed in using his wrestling abilities to knock down the Brazilian. At the start of the third round, Santos could find his range well though, and hold off a takedown attempt from Wilkinson. Nevertheless, Wilkinson was successful in ending the bout with his seventh and final takedown of the evening. Wilkinson's performance received unanimous 29-28 ratings among all three judges, extending his overall professional record to 18-2 and his PFL record to 5-0. Santos shared a collection of pictures on Twitter along with the following caption: “At the end of the day, we have two options, give up or continue. And how can I give up on a blessing that God grants me, even with all my difficulties and limitations I’m still here, doing and living what I love. Say what you want to say but we’re still in the game.” In the PFL 2023 season, his performance versus Santos wins him three points, moving him up to fourth position among light heavyweights. Santos, who is already 39 years old, soon will announce his retirement, but he is still hoping to get his hands on the gold strap before doing so. The former UFC title contender's future can only be determined with time, but winning the championship provides him more inspiration to keep competing.

With Jorge Masvidal's latest comments on his probable departure, mixed martial arts fans from across the world are abuzz with speculations. The veteran UFC fighter made an indication that even if he loses his scheduled battle at UFC 287, he could put his gloves away permanently. Masvidal, who has been fighting professionally for nearly two decades, is known for his explosive fighting style and impressive knockout power. He has fought some of the biggest names in the sport, including Darren Till Nate Diaz, Kamaru Usman, and Ben Askren. In his most recent fight, he squared up with his friend turned-rival Colby Covington which ended in a unanimous decision loss back in March 2022, but Masvidal remains a fan favorite for his fearless attitude and never-say-die spirit. Now, with UFC 287 just around the corner, Masvidal is facing yet another tough opponent in Gilbert Burns. Burns, who is currently ranked #5 in the welterweight division, has 2 wins and 2 losses in his last 4 fights in UFC and is considered by many to be one of the best fighters in the world. Masvidal knows that a loss to Burns could mean the end of his career, and he's not taking the threat lightly. “This could be the last one,” Masvidal said. “If I lose, I’m pretty much calling it quits. But a win against Gilbert means that things are headed in the right direction. So if I roll the dice and I do everything right, I’m going for it all. For one title, or many titles.” Masvidal has now dropped three consecutive main-event fights, which is the longest losing skid of his brilliant career. He faced Kamaru Usman in back-to-back championship fights twice, however, he was unable to win either time. Even though a defeat would discourage him, victory would put him in line for a championship fight against welterweight champion Leon Edwards, who has decided to seek vengeance after their 2019 backstage confrontation at a UFC London event. Masvidal, who will compete in his 52nd match as a professional fighter, believes he does have one title run in him. “I think I’m at my best right now,” Masvidal said. “My mental, my physical, now I’ve got to go out there and prove it. I’ve got my back up against the wall, but I get to start my resurrection here in Miami, Dade County, the city that birthed me, that made me, that molded me, so I’m more than excited. April 8, I give it all I got, and I win we keep rolling that dice until we get that f****** belt. Let’s go.” As the countdown to UFC 287 continues, fans will be eagerly watching to see what happens in the Octagon. Will Masvidal emerge victorious and continue his fighting career, or will he retire on a bittersweet note? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this fight is not one to be missed.

Dillian Whyte, a heavyweight contender, thinks that scheduling their rematch for the summer would be Anthony Joshua's best course of action right now. Following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua made a comeback last Saturday night in London by defeating Jermaine Franklin in a twelve-round majority decision. Whyte defeated Franklin in a twelve-round decision last November while Whyte was also present at ringside last weekend. According to promoter Eddie Hearn's proposal, Joshua and Whyte would face off in a summer fight. Joshua, however, is also pressing to face Tyson Fury, the current WBC heavyweight champion. Whyte doesn't see anything that Joshua could put on the table to entice favorable fight conditions from Fury based on his recent performances and the absence of world titles. Whyte believes that their rematch would be the wisest move regarding business. "It's a logical fight," Whyte told Sky Sports. "Fury is not a person to negotiate with, because he'll mess you around. If he's [Fury] being offered the unified heavyweight champion and not taking it, what is Joshua going to offer him to take the fight? Nothing. "He's obviously seeing Joshua as way beneath him, the fight isn't going to happen. I don't know why they are wasting their time. There is someone here who is willing to fight and ready to go, but for some reason, Joshua seems to, and I don't know if it's tactic of his, brush it under the carpet. "I don't know if he just doesn't want to fight me or what, because he knows what my mindset is, I'll come to fight and I carry power in both hands." In their rivalry fight from 2015, Joshua defeated Whyte in the seventh round. Whyte have a previous victory over Joshua as an amateur.

WWE and UFC have agreed to merge to form a new publicly traded company managed by Endeavor Group. According to the terms of the arrangement, Endeavor will own 51% of the new combat sports and entertainment firm, while WWE owners would possess the remaining 49%. According to a press release from the firms, the deal values WWE at $9.3 billion and UFC, which is controlled by Endeavor, at $12.1 billion. WWE and Endeavor both saw their stock prices fall on Monday morning. The deal is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. "This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed," Emanuel said in a press release. "For decades, Vince and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together." WWE executive chairman and long-time owner Vince McMahon, the company's largest existing stakeholder, will continue to lead the WWE portion of the new company, second only to Endeavor founder and CEO Ari Emanuel. WWE CEO Nick Khan is anticipated to retain president of wrestling operations, while Dana White will remain president of the UFC. The board will have 11 members, with Endeavor appointing six and WWE appointing five. The name of the united company will be revealed at a later date. TKO will be the ticker symbol for the corporation on the New York Stock Exchange. Are you excited by the deal? Comment and let us know,

Despite rumors circulating about a potential fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, Eubank's promoter Kalle Sauerland has stated that Eubank is solely focused on his rematch with Liam Smith. The two middleweights were originally scheduled to fight in a 157-pound catchweight bout in October, but the fight was cancelled after Benn tested positive for clomifene, a banned substance. Eubank went on to face Smith in January, but was stopped in four rounds, resulting in his first loss since 2018. Eubank has since activated his rematch clause with Smith, but contracts have not yet been signed. This has led to speculation that Eubank may be considering a fight with Benn instead. However, Sauerland has emphasized that Eubank's focus is on his rematch with Smith, not on fighting Benn. “We’ve activated the rematch clause [with Smith] subject to the contract,” Sauerland said in an interview with talkSPORT. “Is it not signed? It’s not announced, let’s put it that way. That’s business on our side. If the contract’s not right, the contract’s not right." Sauerland also clarified that while there have been discussions with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing about a potential fight between Eubank and Benn, there have been no formal proposals. “What I want is for Jr. to put things right to Smith and to fight Benn. How that works, time will tell, and it won’t be long. He wants to fight in June—currently [that’s] Smith. I can categorically say we have not had one formal proposal from Matchroom’s side yet. We have had a discussion, but we are aligned right now to fight Smith at this moment in time.” Sauerland added that Eubank is a fighter who concentrates on what's actually on the table, and right now that's Liam Smith. As for the possibility of fighting Conor Benn, Sauerland said, "How that works, time will tell."