By Alexey Sukachev
Just like Alexander Povetkin, former European light heavyweight champion Igor Mikhalkin was connected with a meldonium case last year, being accused of taking forbidden drug and later disqualified for the violation of anti-doping rules and regulations.
Unlike Povetkin, who is now fighting for his good name, Mikhalkin saw his disqualification lifted at the end of the last year, when he was cleared of the charges - since he had taken meldonium before its ban.
Off for almost a year, Mikhalkin, not a spring chicken at 31, will attempt a comeback on March 18 in Malmo, Sweden, as a part of a big night of boxing, promoted by Erol Ceylan, with local heavyweight hope Adrian Granat fighting cagey veteran Alexander Dimitrenko in the main event. Mikhalkin (18-1, 9 KOs) will test his present skills against tough Ukrainian opponent Yevgueny Makhteyenko (8-8, 7 KOs).
Makhteyenko, 29, is an upset specialist with sound wins over 4-0 Alexander Hagen, 11-0 Sven Forling (another participant of the show) and 11-1-1 Andrzej Soldra – all wins coming by way of knockout. He also went a distance with reigning WBA interim light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in his latest fight. The fight is scheduled for eight.
Mikhalkin, once the Universum Boxing Promotions prospect, suffered his only loss to Pole Aleksey Kuziemski in 2010 on points. He is 7-0, 2 KOs, since then, including a return win over well-known Frenchman Doudou N’Gumbu.
He acquired a vacant EBU 175lb belt with a win over Mohammed Belkacem in 2014 and defended it thrice against French opponents Hakim Chioui, Hugo Kasperski and Patrick Bois.