Tony Bellew has explosively claimed that “80 per cent of world champions are cheating” after speaking out over the issue of performance enhancing drugs in boxing. Bellew, 41, called for any fighter caught  to receive a lifetime ban, as controversies over failed tests continue to plague the sport.

In May, it was confirmed that American Ryan Garcia had received a one-year suspension following his unanimous points win over Devin Haney, having tested positive for ostarine.

Conor Benn is also suspended again after the National Anti-Doping Panel, who initially cleared him to return to the ring following his failed test in October 2022, had their decision overturned.

The likes of Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, and Canelo Alvarez have also been found guilty of doping offences during their esteemed careers. And now Bellew, who retired in November 2018 after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, has called for stringent action.

Speaking on Colin Murray’s 52 podcast, he was asked whether he believed doping was rife within boxing. “I don’t think, I know it is,” he replied. “I’d go as far to say, 80 percent of world champions are cheating. It’s a real problem.”

Former cruiserweight Bellew, who won WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring world titles during his 34-fight professional career, now wants a zero tolerance approach to those who fail tests. And he also implied that he was aware that many of his past opponents had escaped sanctions.

“I believe that anyone failing for performance enhancing drugs should be banned for life,” he added. “There are so many guys I could name because I’ve fought guys on steroids.”

The British Boxing Board of Control have received intense criticism for their approach to tackling dopingregularly accused of being too lenient with offenders. And Bellew also pointed to the dangers of the sport, and the risks involved, as further reason to stamp out doping.

“I don’t mind (being hurt),” he continued. “I’ve had my ribs broke, my nose broke, my jaw, my hands six times, I’ll take any amount of pain to win, I was willing to die to win.”

Bellew is not the only high-profile figure to call for a lifetime ban for drug cheats. Anthony Joshua has previously echoed similar sentiments, while Haney claimed Garcia should not fight again after his discrepancy.

The Liverpudlian also hit out at Garcia in the aftermath of his test, arguing: “Everyone knows if you’ve got steroids in your system you should be banned for life. This isn’t some kind of substance where you’ve smoked some weed, this is a banned steroid.”

To listen to Colin Murray’s 52 sponsored by Grosvenor Casinos click here.