Former light-welterweight world champion and Olympic boxer Amir Khan has been handed a two-year ban from participating in any sport after testing positive for a prohibited substance.

UK Anti-Doping have said in a statement that the 36-year-old returned a positive result for the anabolic agent ostarine following his fight against Kell Brook in February 2022.

Khan lost the fight which took place in Manchester.

The boxer, who announced his retirement in May last year, accepted a violation of anti-doping rules but said he had not intentionally ingested the substance, an argument accepted by an independent panel following a hearing in January this year.

What is ostarine?

According to Sky News, ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.

It is used to enhance muscle building, has a similar effect to testosterone and is banned in all sports.

Khan was first notified of his own positive result in April 2022 and was given a provisional suspension, with charges following in July after he had announced his retirement with a 34-6 professional record.

Following the hearing on January 24 this year, the National Anti-Doping Panel issued its ruling on February 21, accepting Khan’s submission he had not taken the substance intentionally but imposing the ban on the basis of strict liability.

UKAD chief executive Jane Rumble said: “This case serves as a reminder that UKAD will diligently pursue anti-doping rule violations in order to protect clean sport.

“Strict liability means athletes are ultimately responsible for what they ingest and for the presence of any prohibited substances in a sample.

“It is important that all athletes and their support personnel, whatever level they are competing at, take their anti-doping responsibilities seriously.

"Not doing so risks damaging not only an athlete’s career, but also undermining public confidence in clean sport.”