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Doping scandal in Russian sports

Russian boxer Povetkin denies use of doping

The World Boxing Council said that a probe into Povetkin’s case is ongoing and he can be disqualified

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

YEKATERINBURG, December 18. /TASS/. Russian heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin told reporters je did not use doping and does not know how the prohibited substance got into his body.

"What sense does it make to use doping and fail the last test? It is all senseless. I don’t know how the substance got into my body. I don’t even have any assumptions. When I learnt about it I was getting uneasy. I took it so hard," Povetkin said.

On Saturday, December 17, Povetkin beat France’s Johann Duhaupas. The non-title 10 round fight held in the Russian Urals city of Yekaterinburg ended with Povetkin’s win by a sixth round knockout.

Alexander Povetkin was also to meet Canada’s Bermane Stiverne for the interim WBC heavyweight title but the fight was canceled after Povetkin’s probe A proved to be positive of containing Ostarine. The probe is dated December 6.

The World Boxing Council said that a probe into Povetkin’s case is ongoing and he can be disqualified.

Ostarine is a SARM substance, which athletes use during training. It builds up endurance, like anabolic steroids. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) put SARM substances on its prohibited items list in 2008.

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