Kazakh boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly fails doping test for meldonium
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Janibek Alimkhanuly has tested positive for the banned substance meldonium in a VADA test, with the drug detected in his second sample. As a result, his scheduled bout against Cuban fighter Erislandy Lara, set for December 6, has been officially canceled.
Details: The failed test came to light after American journalist Dan Rafael published the VADA report. The positive result triggered an internal investigation by the WBO, which has already confirmed an "adverse analytical finding." In the near future, the organization will send Alimkhanuly an official Show Cause Notice.
Alimkhanuly himself responded to the situation with an official statement. The boxer expressed his surprise at the test results and insisted that he has always stood for fair and clean sport.
"I am surprised by this news. The first VADA test showed everything was clean. I haven't changed my supplements and have no idea what happened with the second sample. That's why I requested a retest," he wrote.
It's worth noting that the bout against Cuban boxer Lara was set to be historic, with three middleweight championship titles on the line.
Reminder: Teofimo Lopez will defend his belts against Shakur Stevenson.
