Owens wants drugs testing at local level

Tommy Owens…wants dope tests for Midlands titles

SMALL Hall promoter Tommy Owens is leading a campaign to introduce random drug testing at Midlands title level.

And he is prepared to start the ball rolling on his own shows – despite the costs he may incur.

A number of high profile boxers have fallen foul of testing in the run-up to major contests, the most recent being Dillian Whyte who saw his heavyweight clash with Anthony Joshua scrapped.

But there is no insistence from the Board of Control for the procedure at professional grass roots level.

Owens, aged 40, wants to see it happen. For purely financial reasons, the move may not be universally popular – especially in these times of austerity.

Making a profit from small hall shows is tough and getting tougher.

“I’m still doing my homework,” Tommy admitted. “It is just an idea, but if it can be done I’d imagine the Boxing Board of Control would be all over it. At present, the only thing really in place is a check weigh-in.

“It’s not going to be cheap, but, obviously, we are not looking at anything as rigorous as for the major fights.”

Tommy added: “Are there drug cheats at regional level? I’d like to say no, but in any walk of life you are going to get people who are prepared to cheat to gain an advantage. And they’ll do it despite the cost – whether that cost is the end of their career or injury to an opponent who has done things the right way.

“Too many things go under the radar that should not go under the radar.”

Matt Harris, chairman of the Board of Control’s Midlands area, said: “It’s got to be a good idea. Those who resort to drugs don’t deserve a place in the sport because that is how people get hurt in the ring.”