RIO DE JANEIRO, August 17./TASS/. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has disqualified Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin indefinitely after he tested positive for banned substance meldonium, its press service said.

Povetkin was under an investigation on doping abuse accusations. He is suspended from competitions as well as stripped of the title of mandatory challenger. 

Promoter Andrei Ryabinsky of World of Boxing is ready to defend the interests of Povetkin and sue the WBC. 

"We are filing a lawsuit against WBC," Ryabinsky told TASS. 

WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder of the United States (W36-L0, 35 KOs) was scheduled to hold his mandatory title bout against Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) on May 21 in Moscow. However Russian boxer’s doping Sample A had tested positive for meldonium shortly before the fight and the bout was suspended indefinitely. His Sample B also tested positive for the same substance.

Povetkin has been suspended from boxing as well as stripped of the title of mandatory challenger. Wilder now has the right to choose the contender he thinks fit.

WBC may revise its decision if the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issues new recommendations on meldonium or any other major information emerges to this respect.