Harrow, London’s Mitchell Smith has been issued with a three-month ban from United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) after failing a post-fight drugs test following his 10-round points victory over Arnie Dawson in October 2025. The contest, which was for the WBO European lightweight title, was on the London O2 Arena undercard of Fabio Wardley’s victory over Joseph Parker, who also fell foul of testing.
BoxingScene understands the banned substance that returned Smith's adverse test is not being ruled as a performance enhancer following an investigation, hence why the suspension is a brief one. However, the result of the bout has been disqualified and ruled a No Contest. UKAD will announce details of their findings in May.
Smith, 33, was once the brightest of British boxing prospects until he was beaten over 10 rounds by George Jupp in one of the biggest upsets of 2015. Subsequent attempts to get his career back on track failed before Smith, who has been open about his out-of-the-ring problems, put together a three-fight win streak that culminated in the victory over Dawson.
The news came to light when Clacton, Essex’s Dawson, who thought he’d lost his unbeaten record that night, posted on social media Wednesday. “It is not in my nature to try to tarnish someone’s name or career and that is not the purpose of this statement and not what I aim to do,” he wrote.
“25th October (BIGGEST night of my career) I took my first professional defeat on the Parker v Wardley undercard live on DAZN PPV for the WBO European title against 18-1 highly rated Mitchell Smith on 11 days notice.
“After the fight both myself and Mitchell were tested by UKAD in the changing rooms and that was that.
“An adverse finding was then returned in my opponent’s test involving a banned substance. After an investigation by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control it was deemed that our contest would be overturned to a No Contest and the loss removed from my record.
“I’ve spoke with Mitchell since the fight and have nothing but respect for Mitchell.
“However, after thousands of people seeing the contest and seeing me get beat I think it’s only right that I’m able to tell everyone that this contest will go down as a defeat on my record or in the history books.”
The 23-year-old Dawson, 8-1-1 NC (4 KOs), found out about Smith’s failed test and its consequences prior to his March 14 loss to Steven Cairns in Dublin. Smith’s record is now 18-1-1 NC (9 KOs).
