Janibek Alimkhanuly has tested positive for a banned substance before his scheduled middleweight unification fight against Erislandy Lara on Saturday.
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) confirmed it was informed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), and an investigation is underway. Alimkhanuly, who holds the IBF and WBO titles, will be replaced by Venezuela’s Johan Gonzalez, according to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).
Reports say the banned substance is meldonium, a drug that can boost endurance and has been banned since 2016. Alimkhanuly’s first “A” sample returned an adverse finding, and he has requested a second “B” sample test.
Alimkhanuly wrote on X that he was “surprised” by the results and insisted he supports clean sport, saying he had not changed his vitamins.
The 32-year-old Kazakh fighter is unbeaten in 17 professional bouts since 2016. Lara, 42, last fought 14 months ago and will now defend his WBA title against 34-year-old Gonzalez, who has 36 wins in 40 fights. The bout will take place on the Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach undercard at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
