Janibek Alimkhanuly is now at risk of losing out on a long-sought three-belt unification clash, this time as a result of his own alleged actions.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the unbeaten IBF and WBO 160lbs titlist has tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. The development officially jeopardizes his showdown with WBA 160lbs titleholder Erislandy Lara, which was due to air as part of a PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view event this Saturday from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Ring Magazine was first to report the news.
An adverse finding of the substance was discovered from a November 15 sample collected through random testing as contracted through VADA, according to a letter obtained by BoxingScene. Ironically, Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs), informed his fans in real time through social media on the day he was contacted by testers.
The 32-year-old southpaw Alimkhanuly has since addressed the issue following the positive test becoming public knowledge.
“I have always supported clean sport you know this well,” Alimkhanuly stated via social media. “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.”
As is the standard with all adverse findings in drug tests, the offending party has the right to request the testing of his “B” sample. It is extremely rare for the results to differ, though there have been occasions when boxers were cleared upon proving contamination.
Nevertheless, BoxingScene has learned that – due to the timing of the development – the most likely scenario at this juncture is for Lara to remain on the card against a new opponent.
Should that be the case, it remains unclear whether a fresh contender will be selected or if an already-scheduled participant in Saturday’s show will be elevated from the undercard. Jesus Ramos Jnr and Shane Mosely Jnr are currently slated to meet for the WBC interim 160lbs title.
Meldonium is a prescription drug in select Eastern Europe nations, though perhaps a moot point since Alimkhanuly denies having ever used the substance. It was placed on the WADA banned list, both for in- and out-of-competition use, in 2016 due to its ability to shift metabolism to increase endurance and also accelerate the rehabilitation and recovery process.
Should Alimkhanuly fail to gain clearance and be found at fault for the positive test, the IBF and WBO are then required to take measures – which could result in the end of his unified title reign. He has held the WBO belt since 2022 and unified in an October 2023 knockout win over then-unbeaten IBF titlist Vincenzo Gualtieri.
Lara, 31-3-3 (19 KOs), has not fought since a September 2024 knockout victory over former two-division titlist Danny Garcia in Las Vegas.
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.
