Janibek Alimkhanuly’s scheduled middleweight unification fight against Erislandy Lara has faced a significant setback. Alimkhanuly has tested positive for a banned substance ahead of the bout set for Saturday.
Failed Drug Test and Response
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has informed the public about the Kazakh fighter’s failed drug test. This result was reported by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), leading to an ongoing internal investigation.
The substance in question is meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016. Meldonium is known to enhance an athlete’s endurance significantly.
Alimkhanuly’s initial “A” sample revealed an adverse finding. He has since requested a testing of his “B” sample, seeking clarity on the situation. In a recent post on X, he expressed his disbelief regarding VADA’s findings.
Alimkhanuly’s Reaction
Alimkhanuly stated, “I was surprised when I read the news. I have always supported clean sport.” He noted that VADA previously indicated his results were clean and emphasized that he had not altered his vitamin intake.
Fight Replacement
As a result of this development, Venezuelan boxer Johan Gonzalez will step in to face Lara instead of Alimkhanuly. Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), the promoter for the event, confirmed this switch.
Fight History
Janibek Alimkhanuly has maintained an undefeated record of 17-0 since his debut in 2016. His most recent fight occurred on April 5, where he defended his WOB and IBF titles against Anauel Ngamissengue with a fifth-round stoppage.
Erislandy Lara, the Cuban-American fighter, is a seasoned veteran. He last fought 14 months ago, winning against Danny Garcia. Currently, he will be defending his WBA title against Gonzalez on the undercard of the Isaac Cruz versus Lamont Roach event.
Upcoming Bout Details
The match will take place at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lara is 42 years old and has achieved 31 victories out of his 37 fights since his professional debut in 2008. Gonzalez, at 34, has an impressive record of 36 wins in 40 bouts and recently secured a victory in March against Jarrett Hurd.
