Notebook: Janibek suspended for failed test, but allowed to keep belt
WBO, Kazakhstan regulators issue rulings; Adames-Williams WBC 160 title fight rescheduled; Shields dominates Crews-Dezurn; Hitchins update; Quick hits; Show and tell
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WBO and IBF middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly has been suspended by the WBO and the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium — in his A and B samples — the organizations announced.
Alimkhanuly, who has made five defenses, was due to face WBA titlist Erislandy Lara in a three-belt unification fight on the Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz-Lamont Roach Jr. undercard on Dec. 6 in San Antonio.
During fight week, however, Alimkhanuly, who was being randomly tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, returned an adverse finding when the banned substance was found in a urine sample provided on Nov. 15. He was dropped from the fight and Lara handily outpointed standby opponent Johan Gonzalez.
On Thursday the WBO issued its resolution on the situation and surprisingly did not strip him of the title.
