Reports have emerged that only one week before his WBC heavyweight title challenge against Deontay Wilder, that Russian Alexander Povetkin has allegedly failed a pre-fight drug test.
The fight is due to take place next week in Russia (May 21st) at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow but it is now unclear as to what will happen. ESPN’s Dan Rafael initially broke the story on Twitter:
Two sources with knowledge of test have told ESPN that Povetkin tested positive for meldonium with title fight vs Wilder a week away.
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) May 13, 2016
The WBC (World Boxing Council) who’s world championship belt is due to be on the line next week, have released the following statement:
“WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin voluntarily agreed to the WBC Clean Boxing Program and to be tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) in connection with their upcoming May 21, 2016, WBC World Heavyweight Championship.
Today (May 13th), VADA reported to the WBC and the fighters’ camps the results of an anti-doping test Povetkin underwent from a sample collected on April 27, 2016. VADA’s report states that Povetkin’s sample A showed an adverse result for the banned substance Meldonium. The WBC also received specific information from the World Anti-Doping Agency about such substance Meldonium .
The WBC’s priority is and will always be safety, fair play and justice. In order to continue to strive for the absolute safety of the boxers and for a just and fair outcome for all parties involved, the WBC is conducting an in-depth investigation of this matter.
The WBC will make a public announcement in the very near future concerning the results of its investigation and any appropriate steps that it will take.”
(Image source and credit: Checkhookboxing.com)
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