Monday 25 April 2016 16:50, UK
Tony Bellew believes the nature of combat sport means fighters found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs should face arrest.
Bellew, who is currently preparing for a clash with Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC world cruiserweight on May 29, is adamant that a failure to address the situation will result in serious injuries and even deaths.
He told Sky Sports: "On a global scale, performance-enhancing drugs should be classed as an illegal act, in my opinion. There are lives at risk in combat sports.
In a boxing match, there are lives at risk and fighters using unfair advantages to hurt other fighters.
"Unless everybody's allowed to take drugs - and they're not - then you're on a playing field that's not level. Is somebody going to have to die in a boxing ring before these governing bodies take note and punish these guys severely?
"This is not a 100m race. I'm not condoning sprinters taking drugs but a person's life isn't at risk in that race. In a boxing match, there are lives at risk and fighters using unfair advantages to hurt other fighters.
"I believe they should be arrested and locked up. I think the boxing sanctioning bodies should say that if someone fails a drugs test then it becomes a police matter. I think that's the way forward."
Bellew's statement comes in the wake of the news heavyweight Erkan Teper, who failed a drugs test in the aftermath of a July 2015 victory over David Price, has appeared in the latest IBF rankings.
'Bomber' added: "I'm very angry. I'm always the first to back the British Boxing Board of Control but what they need to do is reverse the losses to Tony Thompson and Erkan Teper on David Price's record.
"Both failed post-fight drugs tests and these defeats should be taken away. By keeping them, you're basically saying it's okay to take drugs and fight. It's an absolute disgrace and needs addressing as soon as possible.
"It's no good having a two-year ban or being banned at all if the result is allowed to stand."
Price is set to make his long-awaited return to a professional boxing ring on the undercard of Bellew v Makabu.
