MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin has been suspended by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and fined $250,000 according to the organization’s press release.
"The WBC hereby rules that Mr. Povetkin shall be suspended for participating in any WBC-sanctioned bouts indefinitely; Mr. Povetkin shall pay a $250,000 fine to the WBC," the Council said in its ruling.
The athlete will be able to file for reinstatement a year after the ban’s announcement. In line with its Clean Sport Program, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) will develop an individual testing protocol for the Russian boxer at his own expense. The WBC will consider lifting the ban if the test results turn out negative. In addition, the WBC will give Povetkin the opportunity to present additional proof regarding his positive ostarine test results.
The WBC’s decision to suspend the Russian athlete didn’t come as a surprise, Alexander Karpenko, senior partner at Forward Legal and Povetkin’s legal representative, told TASS.
"The WBC’s verdict was predictable given the December ostarine test," he noted. "This is what any other sport federation would’ve done. After the all, the Council stated in August, after Alexander tested positive for meldonium, that it would impose sanctions if any other banned substances are were found in his blood. In contact with the WBC, we are currently investigating how Alexander ended up with ostarine in his system, and we are also collecting expert opinions. When the work is done, we will appeal to the WBC and hope we are heard."
The fight between Povetkin and American boxer Deontay Wilder, scheduled for May 21 in Moscow, was postponed after the Russian tested positive for the banned drug meldonium. The WBC approved a voluntary title defense for Wilder, while Povetkin’s case was under investigation. Meanwhile, the American side made a public allegation that the Russian boxer was taking illegal substances. When the WBC was done investigating Povetkin’s failed doping test, it decided against penalizing the Russian boxer.
The 37-year-old champ’s doping sample "A" taken on December 6, 2016, tested positive for ostarine before Povetkin’s fight with Canada’s Bermane Stiverne for an interim heavyweight title. Doping sample "B", taken on the same day, also turned out to be positive.