Povetkin Fails Drug Test, Stiverne Fight Cancelled

Heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin has failed another drug test ahead of his interim heavyweight title fight with Bermane Stiverne. The fight, which was scheduled for tonight in Russia, has been cancelled due to Stiverne withdrawing after the WBC removed their sanction.

Povetkin will now fight WBC silver titlist Johann “Reptile” Duhaupas in the main event tonight at the Ekaterinburg Expo Center in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

The WBC withdrew their sanction from the bout when they learned that Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance ostarine. It was part of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency’s Clean Boxing Program will allows boxers to be tested randomly.

This program was introduced to Povetkin after he failed a drug test earlier this year. He had been the mandatory challenger to fight WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder in May, but he tested positive for meldonium and the fight was scrapped.

Now, Povetkin has seen another fight fall through due to the use of banned substances.

Stiverne could have technically gone through with the fight, but the WBC removing their sanction meant that the interim belt would no longer be on the line and the fight would be pointless.

"There’s no reason to fight if the WBC won’t sanction the bout," Stiverne said, according to ESPN. "I’m very disappointed in the actions of Povetkin. I’ve been training for months to be victorious. To wake up the day of the fight, have breakfast, take a nap and wake up to find out he tested positive is the worst possible situation."

Stiverne hopes that he will be promoted to mandatory challenger for Wilder because of this opportunity falling through.