FRANCOIS BOTHA, the former heavyweight world champion beaten by Sonny Bill Williams on Friday night, has tested positive to a banned substance.
Botha, whose claims he did not know the WBA international heavyweight bout would only last 10 rounds have also now been discredited, failed a drugs test on the eve of the fight.
Results of a urine sample submitted by the 44-year-old South African in Brisbane last Tuesday under WBA regulations show he had Phentermine - a banned stimulant - in his system.
The drugs test, which has now been forwarded to the WBA's global headquarters in Panama, also detected Benzodiazepine, which suggested Botha was also using a valium-type product.
Leading sports doctor Peter Larkins said the two substances had an opposite effect.
''One puts you to sleep, one keeps you awake,'' Larkins told Fairfax Media. ''Phentermine is part of the go-fast group, as I call them, which is similar category to all of the adrenalin amphetamines … anything that is a stimulant that keeps you awake and improves your reflexes."
