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Doping scandal in Russian sports

WBC says Russian boxer Povetkin not disqualified

Povetkin will be disqualified if any of his future doping samples come up positive for meldonium

Russian heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

Russian heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

RIO DE JANEIRO, August 17 /TASS/. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has finished an investigation into accusations against Russian heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin but no sanctions will follow, the boxer’s lawyer, Alexei Karpenko, told TASS.

"I do not know where the news about his disqualification has come from. The WBC has finished the investigation into Povetkin’s case but has not disqualified the boxer," Karpenko said.

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"In view of the fact that boxer Deontay Wilder is suffering from a trauma, Povetkin is going to meet Bermane Stiverne. Povetkin will be disqualified if any of his future doping samples come up positive for meldonium," Karpenko said.

Povetkin’s Promoter Andrei Ryabinsky of World of Boxing said "I gave a call to WBC President Mauricio Suleiman who said that Alexander had not been disqualified." He earlier threatened to sue the WBC in court in case of Povetkin’s disqualification.

Povetkin was under an investigation of the World Boxing Council (WBC) on doping abuse accusations.

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, the 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.

Before the positive doping result, Povetkin passed doping tests three times, namely on April, 7,8 and 11, and all his samples tested negative. However, his doping test as of April 27 gave a positive indication for meldonium presence in his blood.

The WBC press release said that boxer would be tested for doping regularly under a special testing protocol and the supervision of an anti-doping organization. In case Povetkin’s tests come up positive again, he will be disqualified and get removed from his mandatory position.

The 36-year-old Povetkin is WBC’s number one in the super heavy weight category. The Russian won the Olympic gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Povetkin has held 31 professional bouts. He has a record of 30 wins (22 by KO) and has suffered one defeat.

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