Well, this is a mess.
Less than 24 hours before his WBC eliminator against former champion Bermane Stiverne, Alexander Povetkin has tested positive for the steroid Ostarine.
The @WBCBoxing has been notified by @Vada_Testing of adverse result of banned substance Ostarine from Alexander Povetkin.Ruling to come soon
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) December 17, 2016
The @WBCBoxing is officially withdrawing recognition of Povetkin vs Stiverne due to the positive result of Povetkin for Osterine
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) December 17, 2016
Stiverne’s trainer, Don House, has reportedly stated that the fight is off.
Povetkin (30-1, 22 KO) had previously tested positive for meldonium just days before his planned title shot against Deontay Wilder, only to escape with a lesser punishment due to the timing involved in the drug’s banning. He has no such recourse with Ostarine, the same selective androgen receptor modulator that Lucian Bute tested positive for after his fight with Badou Jack.
The level of idiocy on Povetkin’s part is absolutely staggering, especially considering Andrey Ryabinsky’s legal threats against those who called "Sasha" a cheater. I am legitimately less offended by the drugs than I am by the nonsense involved.
These people are dumb. Boxing is dumb.