Alexander Povetkin team claims new tests clear fighter

The Alexander Povetkin drug testing saga continues.

"Russian Vityaz's" management, helmed by promoter Andrey Ryabinsky, sent out a press release earlier today claiming that May 17th VADA testing found no trace of meldonium in the fighter's system. Testing done a week prior also found no trace, leaving just one positive sample among six.

Said sample also contained a negligible quantity of the drug, to the extent that Team Povetkin is claiming validation for their claims that the trace amounts are due to Povetkin taking the drug while it was still legal last year.

The impact of this press release is somewhat undermined by Ryabinsky's vow to sue everyone who called Povetkin a cheater, including Team Wilder and Dan Rafael. That is not how libel works, Andrey.

SLAPP-happy management aside, it's possible this new data could pave the way for Wilder and Povetkin to actually fight in the near future, although the sheer fervor with which both sides have burned bridges raises some doubts. We'll let you know if anything comes of this.