Janibek Alimkhanuly Bout in Disarray Following Positive Drug Test
A meaningful shakeup has hit the boxing world as Janibek alimkhanuly, the unified middleweight champion, has tested positive for a banned substance ahead of his highly anticipated fight against Erislandy Lara. This advancement throws the Saturday bout into question and introduces a last-minute replacement.
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) confirmed the news, stating they were informed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) of the adverse finding. An internal inquiry is currently underway to determine the specifics of the situation.
A Last-Minute Change in Opponents
Consequently, Alimkhanuly will be unable to compete against lara as scheduled.Venezuela’s Johan Gonzalez will step in to challenge Lara for the WBA middleweight title. This unexpected shift promises a different dynamic for the fight card.
The Substance in Question: Meldonium
Reports indicate the banned substance detected is meldonium. This performance-enhancing drug is known to increase endurance and has been prohibited by the world Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) as 2016. Its a serious violation with perhaps significant consequences for Alimkhanuly’s career.
Alimkhanuly’s Response and Request for Retest
Alimkhanuly expressed surprise at the initial findings. He maintains his commitment to clean sport and has requested a second test of his ‘B’ sample.He stated he hadn’t altered his vitamin regimen and is seeking clarity on the discrepancy between the first and second tests.
“I have always supported clean sport, you know this well,” Alimkhanuly shared.”I was surprised when I read the news.vada took the first test and said everything was clean.I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest.”
What This Means for Lara and gonzalez
Erislandy Lara, a former champion with a record of 31 wins in 37 fights, will now face Gonzalez. The 42-year-old Cuban-American last fought in 2023, stopping Danny Garcia to retain his WBA title.
Gonzalez, 34, brings a record of 36 wins in 40 bouts to the ring. He recently secured a split decision victory over Jarrett Hurd in March. You can expect a competitive fight as both boxers aim to make a statement.
A Look at the Fighters’ Recent Performances
* Janibek Alimkhanuly: Last fought in April, retaining his IBF and WBO belts with a fifth-round stoppage of Anauel Ngamissengue. He boasts an undefeated professional record of 17 wins.
* Erislandy Lara: Hasn’t fought in over a year, last competing in 2023.
* Johan Gonzalez: Most recently defeated Jarrett Hurd in March, adding a significant win to his resume.
The fight will still take place on the undercard of the Isaac cruz v Lamont Roach event at the Frost bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. This situation underscores the importance of rigorous anti-doping measures in maintaining the integrity of the sport. We will continue to follow this story as it develops and provide updates as they become available.
