Anabolic steroids increase hematocrit levels

Tony Thompson, an American boxer, claims that steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs should be permitted in boxing. The athlete thinks that anti-doping laws and gun laws are identical. Who doesn’t break gun laws? Only good guys do it. That’s why good guys are at a disadvantage. So, the similar situation is linked with anti-doping rules. Just honest athletes don’t take steroids and/or other doping products. Thus, they fight with those that have increased their performance with the help of anabolic steroids and other related medications.
It is stated that anabolic steroids are forbidden in sports because they are dangerous. What would you claim about boxing in itself? Is boxing safe? The answer is obvious.
But it is also claimed that it is necessary to prohibit steroids and other related preparations in order to make boxing safer. Steroids and other doping products increase performance. The more increased performance is, the more dangerous matches are. However it is true, would you ban anything which promotes performance of boxers? So, you prohibit anabolic steroids because they increase performance. Then prohibit workouts as well since they enhance performance too! So, you will decrease performance while reducing possible risks. What do you think about this condition?
Tony Thompson also adds that detection tests are not efficacious at all. While a lot of sportspersons take forbidden drugs, just some of them are caught and suspended. Thus, dopers have unfair advantage over those who keep anti-doping rules. There is no fairness.
Of course, arguments provided by Tony Thompson are reasonable. Anti-doping rules make rounds more unfair. Moreover, the prohibition of doping doesn’t make fights safer. A lot of boxers continue to apply anabolic steroids and/or other prohibited medications without being caught. They continue to fight and succeed with the help of doping, while good guys are at a disadvantage because they don’t break anti-doping laws.
So, if doping is legalized in boxing, matches will be fairer. Undoubtedly, they will remain unsafe. But they will be at least honest.
Tony Thompson has been harshly criticized for his statements pro legalization of doping in boxing.