Irish middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs) states that he has not used performance enhancing drugs throughout his 17-year boxing career, which includes more than 200 amateur matches and 21 professional bouts. However, under a negotiated consent order, Coyle agreed to serve a nine-month administrative suspension, retroactive to his last fight, which was in February. Team Coyle disputed the accuracy of the testing process and claims there were procedural irregularities that compromised the reliability of the results of the post-fight drug test conducted by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) after Coyle’s ten-round bout with Vito Mielnicki, Jr. (20-1) this past February 14th at Theater at Madison Square Garden.

 

The “A” urinalysis sample resulted in a preliminary determination that Coyle tested positive for banned substances. The NYSAC ordered the Coyle-Mielnicki fight result overturned from a ten-round draw to a “no contest,” in addition to fining Coyle $10,000 and forcing him to forfeit 20 percent of his purse back to the event promoter, Top Rank. It also initially sought a 100-percent purse forfeiture and one-year suspension.

 

Coyle claims his “B” sample, however, was not properly tested due to instrument-related issues with the laboratory. According to Coyle’s lawyer, Richard J. Washington, an investigation revealed significant issues with laboratory equipment failures and testing protocols that raised legitimate questions about the validity of the findings.

 

Rather than spend months in hearings relegating resting procedures, Coyle accepted a settlement, enabling him to focus on his chosen profession, boxing. He is looking forward to his ring return as early as November 14, 2025, when he will officially be eligible to fight again. 

 

“The testing was flawed,” the 35-year-old Coyle explained. “Lab failures and procedural errors made the results unreliable. I accepted the resolution to avoid a drawn-out, costly fight, not because I was guilty. I have been clean since day one; never cheated, never will. I would like to thank my team and my fans for the support I’ve received. I’m looking forward to continuing the career I’ve worked so hard to build since I was 11. My goal of becoming world champion remains the same.”