He also claimed to be unaware hydrochlorothiazide was banned. It revealed Thompson argued the banned substance entered his body through a medication taken for high blood pressure – not to control his weight or hide other substances – but he did not provide sufficient proof from a medical professional to support this. The decision was published by the National Anti-Doping Panel. “The athlete instigated a lengthy legal process, including filing an appeal which he failed to progress and which was ultimately dismissed,” the statement read. UK Anti-Doping said in a statement the delay in Thompson’s failed drugs test being revealed was a consequence of the American’s response to the charge. An insider in his camp said the second defeat, and the way Thompson recovered from a heavy second-round knockdown, caused Price to “seriously question himself – he was low, he thought his career was over”, and contributed to his decline.
