Eddie Hearn certainly wasn't pulling any punches in his reaction to the news that Canelo Alvarez has been handed a six-month ban for his recent failed drug test.

Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol on the 17th and 20th of February and his ban has seen his much-anticipated rematch with Gennady Golovkin put on the back burner until he returns from the suspension.

Clenbuterol is used to treat asthma but can also help build lean muscle mass and burn off fat, however, the Mexican fighter claimed he was merely a victim of eating contaminated meat.

This excuse did not wash with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who believes Alvarez's reputation is now ruined.

The Matchroom supremo went further by claiming the lenient punishment sets an extremely bad example to young fighters and may even encourage them to dope.

"It doesn't really matter how long they ban him for, his reputation is finished in the sport," Hearn told iFL TV.

"He's a great fighter but who knows how long he's been cheating for?

"Should he be banned for longer? Yeah. Should he be financially penalised? Absolutely. Like any crime, if there is no punishment, it will just encourage people to commit them.

"So if you're a young fighter and you're thinking about doping in the sport and you see Canelo Alvarez just get a six-month ban with no financial penalty, you think: 'I will give it a go, I will run the risk'"

Of course, boxing fans can only hope Hearn is proven wrong, but you can understand his logic and genuine concern.

Skip to 3:30 in the video below to see Hearn's full reaction.

The promoter went on to add that boxers willing to dope should even face criminal charges in the future.

“This is not jumping over some rope or seeing who can run 100m the fastest. This is a sport where people are in there trying to render the other one unconscious,” Hearn added.

“To do it under the influence of steroids, aka to cheat, should be a criminal offence, let alone an offence to a commission or a governing body.”

Although Golovkin is still set to fight on May 5 against a yet to be named opponent, the rematch vs Alvarez remains firmly on the cards for September once the Mexican has served his ban.