How prevalent do you think PED use is in boxing

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by MarkusFlorez99, Aug 1, 2025.


Who wins ?

This poll will close on Apr 27, 2028 at 10:42 PM.
  1. Everyone is on the gear

    50.0%
  2. 70%

    25.0%
  3. 50%

    15.4%
  4. 40%

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. 30%

    9.6%
  1. slash

    slash Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,821
    3,030
    Apr 15, 2012
    Hmm.. maybe.. but I don't see how. Anabolic steroids to creatine is like percocets to Tylenol.. isn't it?

    Mark McGuire got "busted" for creatine, though, I think.
     
    ad4m88 likes this.
  2. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    13,163
    9,562
    Jul 30, 2012
    Truth is nobody really knows.

    I suspect it is rampant at the top level where boxers are making sizable money and can afford the best advice and assistance to cheat and be hard to catch.
     
    MarkusFlorez99 and Shay Sonya like this.
  3. Salty Dog

    Salty Dog globalize the Buc-ees revolution Full Member

    10,643
    6,259
    Sep 5, 2008
    Imo everybody that makes money at it is on PEDs. The real question is if they use the ones currently deemed illegal. Have said this before, but if I'm getting 10+ million per fight I have a chemist changing the molecular structure of the most effective enhancements to allow me to remain in compliance. Stay ahead of the regs. Why not? Violates the spirit of the rules but it's all about the lawyers, right?
     
    Pat M likes this.
  4. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

    10,305
    19,755
    Jul 25, 2015
    How people usually answer this is dependant on how they view PEDs. The 100% crowd usually view them as magic compounds that can turn man into machine. The reality is that (most) PEDs are simply naturally occuring compounds taken exogenously in order to improve some aspect of performance. Whilst the application is unnatural the effects are 'natural', so to speak, especially in this era when microdosing is favoured (3 main compounds being test, hgh and epo). They benefit you but they don't turn you into superman.

    Why do I say this? Because some fighters have legitimately monstrous advantages already just due to their genetics. Think of a Sugar Ray Robinson for example. No matter how much you roided up an average area level fighter, they would never have Sugar Ray's gifts. PEDs can't replace real talent. Boxing is also a sport where you only need to be physical enough to implement a strategy to win - it's not pure physicality like sprinting etc. You can be physically 'inferior' in every way and still win.

    All this is to say that I think the narrative around roids has gone the opposite way round. We've gone from it being unknown to the assumption everyone is on it, which lately I have started to disagree with. It's gotten to the point people are accusing basically every fighter from the 80s, 70s and even some 60s fighters which is just ridiculous imo. I personally don't think every top fighter is on roids and Donaire would probably be a great example of that.
     
    Dorrian_Grey likes this.
  5. Samart'sTeep

    Samart'sTeep Active Member Full Member

    1,132
    2,313
    Nov 17, 2019
  6. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,120
    4,428
    Jan 6, 2024
    Lower then it was in the late 90s and the early 00s. That was the peak of PED use in sporting endeavors.
     
    OddR and ad4m88 like this.
  7. ad4m88

    ad4m88 Active Member Full Member

    799
    646
    May 7, 2016
    its crazy how little people seem to care about boxers being caught and how little the authorities seem to care unlike UFC they get proper suspensions and seems to be taken more seriously
     
  8. Hanz Cholo

    Hanz Cholo Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,322
    9,523
    Jul 11, 2012
    70% - 100% Wild Wild West. Style. unregulated.
    Similar to Body Building it’s more of a series of entertainment events year in year out as opposed to a regulated sports league.

    However, even in body building “the Best compete against the best” every year without fail to crown one champion in each competition
     
  9. fencik45

    fencik45 Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,014
    2,722
    Jun 6, 2022
    every athlete of note in the world is a ped experiment.
     
    Salty Dog and Pat M like this.
  10. fencik45

    fencik45 Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,014
    2,722
    Jun 6, 2022
    no sport actually cares, its all pr.
     
    Salty Dog and Pat M like this.
  11. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

    30,441
    6,101
    Oct 5, 2009
    I think they all take something
     
  12. Salty Dog

    Salty Dog globalize the Buc-ees revolution Full Member

    10,643
    6,259
    Sep 5, 2008
    Lot of posts here miss the point: Performance Enhancing Drugs. Some are legal. You can get em at Walmart. Some are not. Who draws the line? How often?

    Agree with dude that said these aren't some magic pill you take and then you get the W. It's all much more complicated than that and subject to lawyers ultimately.
     
    OddR likes this.
  13. The Professor

    The Professor Socialist Ring Leader Staff Member

    26,716
    19,020
    Sep 29, 2008
    Far less than most boxing fans seem to think, and they have far less impact than alleged on the outcomes of fights for that minority that do use them.
     
  14. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

    3,927
    9,705
    Aug 15, 2021
    If I have to guess, which I do if I am to vote at all, I will go with 50%. If forced to get off the fence, I would move into the higher than 50% camp.
     
    OddR likes this.
  15. turbotime

    turbotime Hall Of Famer Full Member

    42,577
    3,768
    May 4, 2012
    Probably pretty high at the highest levels, but it’s still interesting that they are punished for even the slightest bit of trace amounts. Even more interesting are these idiot boxers going into stricter testing protocols yet still taking PEDS and getting caught. I know fighters aren’t the smartest bunch so it’s like an act of self sabotage :duh