So Povetkins B sample tested positive as well

Seems that Boxing has a serious drug problem. Like the wasn't obvious already. They should ban these guys for life. At the moment theres not much putting fighters off taking drugs, there are ways around the tests and even when fighters are caught there back fghting soon enough. Some steroids give you the benifits for years afterwards so it can be well worth taking it and getting caught as you can be back fighting at a higher level than you should after a year out. Need year round testing I think but there will be ways around it for the better set up fighters.

Nothing will happen bar a slap on the wrist. I honestly think if they banned everyone they caught, there wouldnt be many fighters left to fight lol. Every man and his dog is on it imo. Plus I cant see the Russian boxing board banning him anytime soon. The problem with boxing is that it has no international board that governs and sets rules a regs to boxing boards in each country. Each country makes up their own rules and protects their own countries fighters, which in turn makes it completely corrupt.

That's the whole problem. There is no 'they'. If a few commissions took that stand, a few more (cough Texas cough) would just undercut them. Respect to the WBC for following through on the VADA thing though. Never thought I'd see them lead the way. Let's hope that at least IBF and WBA will follow WBC in enforcing VADA testing... But I doubt that even WBC will be able to keep up with their new "standards"...

Doesn't make a difference. The argument was never about whether or not it was a false positive, but whether or not the low dosage points to use prior to Jan 1st when the drug was legal.

Don't care if it was 0.01 nanograms...blah blah blah...he came up dirt after 3 failed tests=cheat=suspension=ban...he wasn't getting them KO's before Vlad... Yeah that's how I feel about it. There were grounds for suspicion already. There's hardly a failed drug test in history where there wasn't some sort of excuse to muddy the waters.

Don't care if it was 0.01 nanograms...blah blah blah...he came up dirty after 3 failed tests=cheat=suspension=ban...he wasn't getting them KO's before Vlad... Yes, increase blood flow is going to make him just magically KO people, yes using Meldonium is going to turn him into the biggest puncher about... Smh when it comes to drugs you don't know much. Meldonium isn't a PED in the first place, just an easy ploy If it was a PED it'd have been banned many, many years ago.

povetkin is a true warrior! wilder had a mole in his camp who planted it in his drink! wilders a coward!

Seems that Boxing has a serious drug problem. Like the wasn't obvious already. They should ban these guys for life. No, they'd be as well as just letting these guys use what they want to that way drug agencies like USADA etc can't continue to ruin the sport and that way we truly know everyone is on an even playing field. The drug Povetkin used is being exaggerated big time, majority of people and including the ones who banned it hardly know anything about it.

Depends. Was it the same or lower 0.07? Or was it higher? If it was higher, suspend him, absolutely. If the number went down, it's still mighty suspect. Either way, under the current BS VADA rules it is what it is. People are making a big deal about this banned substance IT ONLY GOT BANNED IN JANUARY 2016!!! What in ****s name took these pathetic drug testing agencies that long to get it banned, it's been well around since the 1970's so someone tell me? It takes 40+ years to determine what is a so called PED and what isn't? Just remember when it comes to these pathetic agencies they'll be willing to completely ignore someone using a method to mask steroids etc without even telling anyone they're going to be doing something at the leisure of their own damn home!!! So what is worse using vitamins and an excessive amount of IV 750ml which is way above the recommended that and not using it in a hospital than and not announcing you were going to be doing this and the people only finding out 3 weeks after the dang fight! Yes, it's a tad bit obvious when it comes to these crooks it all depends on who you are too bad Povetkin isn't a black American who happens to be a huge cash cow paying USADA If he was I bet you any money he'd have got off with it that and guys like LarrryXXX would be saying "Prove he used it, USADA said otherwise" Vicious cycle of boxing being ruined further more.

Seems that Boxing has a serious drug problem. Like the wasn't obvious already. They should ban these guys for life. That's the whole problem. There is no 'they'. If a few commissions took that stand, a few more (cough Texas cough) would just undercut them. Respect to the WBC for following through on the VADA thing though. Never thought I'd see them lead the way.

Seems that Boxing has a serious drug problem. Like the wasn't obvious already. They should ban these guys for life.

It don't make sense though....why would he pass 3 tests just before that and then fail it 15 days later and with only a few weeks before the fight...crazy to think they would risk that fight so close to fight night....Russian vodka Yep. I cannot see any reasonable explanation for that. So for now I absolutely say that mofo should be banned and hopefully Wilder somehow gets a compensation for his expenses preparing for the fight.

It don't make sense though....why would he pass 3 tests just before that and then fail it 15 days later and with only a few weeks before the fight...crazy to think they would risk that fight so close to fight night....Russian vodka

So he should be suspended and lose his ranking correct? You need to provide a link bro.

.. No.. it was just an ingredient found in Gatorade. Nothing big.

VADA is pretty good but that rule they got is stupid. Still they should do the right thing and ban The Roided Russian so I don't expect them to.

Tainted Russian meat man.

Don't be stupid Larry Povetkin took PEDs because he knew Wilder was going to duck him and pull out of the fight the day of Sorry I'm just trying to use some of these retards logic Yeah I agree he should lose his ranking and be suspended.

Russian heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin's "B" sample came back positive for the banned substance meldonium on Thursday. Povetkin's mandatory shot at heavyweight world titleholder Deontay Wilder, scheduled to take place May 21 at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow, was called off after his "A" sample came up positive for meldonium nine days before the fight. The sample had been taken in a random urine test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on April 27. Povetkin, 36, had the right to have his "B" sample tested, and he did. According to the VADA testing report, which was obtained by ESPN.com, it was also positive for meldonium. The report said that the test was "adverse" and that the "urine specimen contains meldonium." The WBC said Wednesday that it is conducting "an in-depth investigation and evaluation of the situation" and that a decision on Povetkin is forthcoming. Meldonium is the drug that tennis star Maria Sharapova and many other athletes recently tested positive for. It is used to increase blood flow and carry more oxygen to muscles and, therefore, is said to enhance stamina, a trait boxers would want in a long fight. Meldonium was approved to be added to the banned substance list by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September, and the ban went into effect on Jan. 1. Povetkin admitted to using meldonium but said he last consumed it in September. However, that does not line up with his test results. He was randomly tested by VADA on April 7, 8 and 11, and each test came back negative for any banned substances, according to the test reports also obtained by ESPN.com. But his test on April 27 was positive for meldonium. Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs), a 2008 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was supposed to make his fourth title defense against Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs), a 2004 Olympic gold medalist. He loomed as Wilder's most significant opponent, and the fight was one of the most significant that could be made in the heavyweight division. But with Povetkin's career in limbo and the fight off, the WBC on Wednesday announced that Wilder, 30, would be permitted to take an optional bout, which his handlers hope to set up for him this summer.