Doping scandal clouds future of unbeaten champion
Janibek Alimkhanuly is approaching a decisive moment as boxing authorities prepare to review the results of a doping control that has already disrupted his championship plans. According to Qazinform News Agency, the outcome of a second laboratory sample is expected to clarify whether the initial finding will stand.
B sample decision draws global attention
Officials in the United States are scheduled to open Alimkhanuly’s B sample on January 8. The Kazakh boxer currently holds the WBO and IBF middleweight titles and remains undefeated as a professional.
According to Qazinform News Agency, the result is expected to become known in Kazakhstan during the night of January 8, 9, due to the time difference. The finding will either confirm or overturn the earlier test that triggered the investigation.
How the case unfolded
The situation began in early December 2025, just days before Alimkhanuly was due to face Cuban WBA champion Erislandy Lara in a unification bout. According to Qazinform, an anti doping test detected meldonium, a substance prohibited under international anti doping rules.
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The fight was canceled shortly afterward. Alimkhanuly publicly denied using any banned substances and exercised his right to request the opening of the B sample, which serves as a confirmation mechanism in doping control procedures.
Championships and rankings under threat
Boxing authorities have warned that a confirmed violation could carry serious consequences. The World Boxing Organization has stated that a positive result could lead to Alimkhanuly being stripped of his championship titles.
Qazinform News Agency has also reported that the boxer was removed from world rankings following the initial test result, a step that reflects the provisional nature of the case and its potential impact on future fight negotiations.
A verdict that could redefine his career
If the B sample does not confirm the presence of a banned substance, questions would likely be raised about the reliability of the original test and the handling of the case. Such an outcome could allow Alimkhanuly to resume his career without disciplinary action.
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If the result is positive, sanctions would likely follow, bringing heightened scrutiny and possibly long term consequences for one of Kazakhstan’s most accomplished boxers. The decision is expected to resonate well beyond a single athlete, highlighting the strict enforcement of anti doping rules at the highest levels of professional boxing.
Sources: Qazinform News Agency
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