Steroid users may suffer from high hematocrit levels

The boxer Tony Thompson claims that anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs should be permitted in boxing. The sportsman considers that anti-doping laws and gun laws are identical. Who doesn’t break gun laws? Only good guys do it. As a result, good guys are at a disadvantage. So, the similar situation is related to anti-doping rules. Only honest sportsmen don’t use anabolic steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs. Thus, they fight with those who have increased their performance with the help of anabolic steroids and other related medicines.
It is stated that steroids are forbidden in sports because they are dangerous. What would you say about boxing in itself? Is boxing safe? The answer is evident.
But it is also claimed that it is needed to prohibit anabolic steroids and other related medications in order to make boxing safer. Anabolic steroids and other doping products enhance performance. The more enhanced performance is, the more dangerous matches are. However it is true, would you ban anything that promotes performance of boxers? Thus, you prohibit anabolic steroids because they enhance performance. Then prohibit trainings as well since they increase performance too! So, you will decrease performance while minimizing possible risks. What do you think about this aspect?
The boxer Tony Thompson also adds that detection tests are not efficacious at all. While many athletes use forbidden preparations, just some of them are caught and sentenced to suspensions. Thus, dopers have unfair advantage over those that don’t break anti-doping rules. There is no fairness.
Of course, arguments provided by Tony Thompson are reasonable. Anti-doping rules make rounds more unfair. Furthermore, the ban of doping doesn’t make matches safer. Numerous boxers continue to use steroids and/or other prohibited products without being caught. They continue to fight and have success with the help of doping, while good guys are at a disadvantage because they don’t break anti-doping rules.
So, if doping is allowed in boxing, matches will be fairer. Undoubtedly, they will remain unsafe. But they will be at least fair.
Tony Thompson has been harshly criticized for his arguments pro legalization of doping in boxing.