Between 2015 and 2025, 34 professional boxers worldwide have been confirmed with doping through banned substances in anti-doping tests.
This is according to public records of media and organizations such as the World Boxing Council(WBC) and the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
Outstanding Mexican cases in 2025
Two names stand out this year in terms of doping in boxing:
Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez tested positive for heptaminol after defeating Britain’s Galal Yafai on June 21 in a WBC interim flyweight title fight.
The fight was declared a “No Contest” and Rodriguez lost the belt, although he received probation for 12 months without suspension, with fines and surprise tests by VADA.
Jaime Munguía tested adverse for exogenous testosterone metabolites after his victory in May against Bruno Surace.
His team insists it was an accidental find.
The B-sample is still pending and they have requested caution from the public while they review possible sources of the outcome.
Control system in professional boxing
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has been promoting the “Clean Boxing” program for nine years, in conjunction with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) and under WADA guidelines.
Every boxer ranked in the top 15 of each division must undergo pre- and post-fight testing and spot checks during the year.
34 professional boxers worldwide have been confirmed for doping
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Substances such as anabolic agents, hormones, stimulants (such as heptaminol or clenbuterol), diuretics, narcotics and glucocorticoids are analyzed.
Cases that made history
Other high impact doping cases in boxing include:
Conor Benn (clomiphene, 2022), Oscar Valdez (phentermine, 2021), Jean Pascal (drostanolone, EPO, 2021) and Lucas Browne (clenbuterol and ostarine, 2016-17).
These cases reflect a systemic problem in modern pugilism, where even sports stars are involved in controversies over illicit substances.
The Mexican community has had a notable presence in recent scandals, generating importance on the impact on reputations and careers.
The WBC-VADA system is a guarantee of integrity, although magazines and boxers transparently defend their innocence when they allege errors or contaminations.
As fans or people associated with boxing in the U.S., this highlights the need to support clean competition and demand clear standards.
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