Tony Thompson swings at David Price during their rematch in July 2013. Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images.

It has been reported by The Daily Star in the U.K. that American Tony Thompson failed a drug test following his July 2013 rematch with British heavyweight David Price.

The drug in question, hydrochlorothiazide, is a masking and diuretic agent and the two-year delay in these findings being made public was explained by U.K. Anti-Doping (UKAD):

“The athlete (Thompson) instigated a lengthy legal process, including filing an appeal which he failed to progress and which was ultimately dismissed.”

Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, said, “This will be discussed at the next board meeting. We’ve had positive tests in the past when decisions are not changed.

“We don’t have a policy of the fighter’s purse being repaid. If the promoter or someone else wants to make a complaint about that we’d have to consider it.”

The decision published by the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) also revealed that Thompson argued that the banned substance entered his body through medication taken for high blood pressure and not to control his weight or hide other substances. He did not provide sufficient evidence to support this, it was ruled.

Thompson also claimed to be unaware that hydrochlorothiazide was banned, but was given a 12-month ban by the Austrian Boxing Federation for use of the same substance when fighting Kubrat Pulev in August 2013; three weeks after UKAD contacted him about their case.

“We’d look to make the fight a no-contest,” said Price’s promoter, Nisse Sauerland. “If Thompson was on a banned substance he shouldn’t be in the ring, so the loss shouldn’t be on David’s record.”

Thompson handed Price his first professional defeat in February 2013, via second-round knockout, and repeated the result five months later when he got off the canvas to stop him in six.

Price was recently halted by Erkan Teper in a European title fight and many feel his second loss to Thompson caused irreparable damage to both his career and confidence.

Information courtesy of Declan Warrington of The Daily Star