Unified middleweight world champion has been stripped of his IBF world championship for testing positive for Meldonium in November.
The middleweight division has traditionally been one of boxing’s most stacked divisions.
In recent years, it has been one of the sports forgotten divisions, with very few major world title fights taking place.
The WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18ko’s) will return after a year hiatus to face Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (20-1, 13ko’s) on the 21st March.
Erislandy Lara (32-3-3, 19ko’s) holds the WBA crown at age 42.
The divisions only unified champion was Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12ko’s), but a chaotic 12 months has left the Kazakhstani’s career in jeopardy.
The unbeaten southpaw defeated Anauel Ngamissengue (15-1, 10ko’s) in his hometown to unify the IBF and WBO belts.
However, since this Janibek has failed a VADA test for a banned substance in the build up to a fight with WBA champion Erislandy Lara.
Subsequently, the IBF, who are widely regarded as an extremely stringent governing body, have stripped Janibek.
The IBF cited multiple violations of its rules for stripping Alimkhanuly, first and foremost for using a performance-enhancing drug. Alimkhanuly also can’t satisfy his mandatory obligation within the allotted time because he tested positive for Meldonium, a banned substance, in mid-November.
Despite suspending him for a twelve month period, the WBO have not stripped him of his belt.
British middleweight hopeful Denzel Bentley (21-3-1, 17ko’s) has been ordered to fight Endry Saavedra (17-1-1, 14ko’s) for the interim belt.
Janibek is also suspended by the American Association of Boxing Commissions until June 1st.
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
