Evan Metcalfe has been stripped of his Irish Elite senior title and banned for four months as a result of a failed drug test.
The Dublin bantamweight, who fights for the recently created Hyland Academy, defeated Thomas McCarthy in February to secure the Irish title, but that result has now been "disqualified", as confirmed by a joint press release from the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) and Sport Ireland.
Metcalfe tested positive for carboxy-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a by-product of cannabis- and as a result, will now serve a four-month ban.
The Crumlin fighter will appeal the decision and has already admitted to smoking what he thought was a cigarette at a party at a friend's house, the week before the senior final.
"I didn't mean to take it. I didn't know what I was doing. I put my hands up to it," said Metcalfe, in his evidence to the panel.
The boxer claims he was shocked when he heard he had failed a drugs test and subsequently was informed by a friend that he had been smoking weed.
In the report, Metcalfe said that he would never have taken it had he known what he was smoking, as it would slow him down.
The doping control test took place immediately after the National Elite Boxing Championship in the National Stadium.
The statement read: "Irish Athletic Boxing Association and Sport Ireland jointly announce that the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel determined that boxer Evan Metcalfe committed an anti-doping rule violation.
"Evan Metcalfe has been sanctioned by a period of ineligibility of 4 months commencing on the 19th of April 2018.
"In a doping control test immediately following his participation at the National Elite Boxing Championship in the National Stadium, he provided a sample which tested positive for the presence of a prohibited substance, carboxy-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Mr Metcalfe’s results from the 24th of February 2018 are also disqualified.
"The hearing was held under Article 8 (Disciplinary Process) of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules and this announcement is made pursuant to Article 15 (Public Disclosure) of the Rules.
"Mr Metcalfe has filed an appeal and the appeal hearing has yet take place."
The full Decision of the Disciplinary Panel is available here.
