Carl Frampton has called for lifetime bans for doping offences in boxing after Conor Benn failed a drugs test ahead of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
Frampton's stance comes following the news that trace amounts of the banned substance clomifene were found in Benn's A sample from a drugs test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
British boxing's licensing body, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) sent a letter which has now been made public to Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing on Wednesday and confirmed that the fight would be 'prohibited' from taking place on Saturday night.
Both promoters have said that they plan to appeal against the decision as it is understood they are currently exploring all avenues to ensure that the event goes ahead as planned this weekend.
READ MORE: Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn: Date, how to watch, and everything you need to know
But Frampton says every drug cheat should know better and should be kicked out of the sport for good.
What is Carl Frampton's stance on doping?
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn clash this Saturday
“Boxing does itself no favours,” he wrote on Twitter. “There should be no grey areas.
“If you fail a test you’re banned and in my opinion you should be banned for life.
“I’ve been super cautious from my amateur days of what I can and can’t take.
“I wouldn’t take a multi vitamin unless VADA approved. I refused a topical psoriasis ointment as it had steroids in it.
“Deterrents need to be stronger.”
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Former two-weight world champion Frampton, who announced his retirement from professional fighting in April 2021, has previously spoken out about the curse of drugs in sport.
Writing in his Sunday Life column per Belfast Live in 2016, he said: "Drugs are a curse and although I don't think boxing has a massive problem with it, this move by the WBC is what we need to take the fight to anyone who would think about cheating.
"Now the WBC have taken this step I would like to see the other governing bodies falling in behind them and bringing in the same rule. Not only that, I believe the British Boxing Board of Control need to do the same.
"They may not be able to do it with every fighter but I think anyone from British titles level upwards should have to sign up to the UK Anti-Doping programme which I voluntarily signed up to before my fight with Scott Quigg."