Boxing: McCreesh hauled before Board after positive drug test

GEOFF McCREESH, the British welterweight champion, has been called to appear before the British Boxing Board of Control stewards on 13 May after he tested positive for a banned substance following his European title fight against Michele Piccirillo in Novara, Italy last November. He lost the fight in the ninth round and he needed to go to hospital for treatment to his badly swollen face.

John Morris, the board secretary, said: "He strongly denies ever taking anything, but the board feel they must talk to him and that will be done at our next meeting."

Not only did McCreesh lose, it took three months for his purse of around pounds 27,000 to be paid by the promoter. The cash eventually came in instalments after pressure from the British Board and his manager, Jim Evans.

The European Boxing Union recently decided to exclude McCreesh from their rankings for a year.

McCreesh must soon start concentrating on the second defence of his British title against Wales' Michael Smyth which must take place by the end of June. He took the title from Kevin Lueshing last July and he successfully defended the crown with a second-round win over Paul "Scrap Iron" Ryan.