Following the positive anti-doping test of WBF Women’s World Light Flyweight Champion Justine Lallemand after her title-winning effort against fellow Frenchwoman Anne Sophie Da Costa on October 28, the result of the fight was changed into a No Contest, and Da Costa duly re-instated as world champion.
Originally, the 35-year-old Da Costa, who previously reigned as WBF world champion at Strawweight from 2012 to 2014, lost an upset, unanimous 10-round decision in a domestic grudge match to rising Lallemand in Auvillers-les-Forges, France, in what was Da Costa’s third title defense.
The performance of Lallemand in only her seventh pro outing was so impressive, that she was named “Boxer of the Month” for October 2017 by the World Boxing Federation.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old was later detected to have a higher-than-allowed amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in her system, which is listed as a banned substance by WADA as well as by the WBF. Lallemand contested the finding in a statement to the WBF and requested the analysis of the B-specimen, which however came back positive as well.
While the Board of the World Boxing Federation carefully considered Lallemand’s testimony, ultimately the overwhelming evidence clearly pointed to a violation of the WBF’s anti-doping regulations.
As a consequence, her win (97:93 and 98:92 twice) was turned into a No-Contest (N-C) by the WBF with the logical consequence that Da Costa received back her WBF world title. Furthermore, Lallemand was suspended for two years for any WBF championship bouts, but given the opportunity to apply for a reduced sentence at half time.
