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WBC fines and suspends Alexander Povetkin over failed drug tests

The WBC is now taking punitive action against Povetkin.

Alexander Povetkin Vs Wladimir Klitschko - Weigh In
Wil Esco is an assistant editor of Bad Left Hook and has been covering boxing for SB Nation since 2014.

Finally, Alexander Povetkin will know the true meaning of swift WBC justice. As reported by RingTV, the WBC has formally revealed its punishment of the heavyweight contender after failing two drug tests last year, which scuttled two separate fights.

The first fight was a mandatory title fight against current WBC champion Deontay Wilder, scheduled for May 21st. Povetkin tested positive for banned substance meldonium about a week before the fight was to take place, and that ultimately stopped the fight right in its tracks. Povetkin would not be immediately suspended, however, as he was found to only have trace amounts of the substance in his system and the WBC said they couldn’t determine if he took the illegal substance after it hit the banned list on Jan. 1, 2016.

Part of the fallout from that scheduled fight, which never took place, was the WBC eventually setting up a match between Povetkin and Bermane Stiverne as a final eliminator to determine Wilder’s new mandatory challenger. That fight was scheduled for Dec. 17. Unfortunately Povetkin would once again test positive for a banned substance right before the fight — this time testing positive for ostarine, an anabolic steroid — which again forced a cancellation.

Now, nearly three months after his latest infraction, the WBC is prepared to take punitive actions against Povetkin. The sanctioning body has suspended Povetkin indefinitely from any WBC-ran fights and has fined him $250,000.

Additionally, VADA will create a rigorous drug testing protocol for Povetkin which he will have to deal with for the next year or so at his own expense. After the one year mark Povetkin will be able to apply for reinstatement with the WBC.

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