Former heavyweight boxing champion – who fought Anthony Joshua – ‘set to have 10 years of results revoked’ after testing positive for banned substance
Alexander Povetkin has been sanctioned with a 4-year period of ineligibility
He tested positive for Ostarine in 2014, as well as failing another test in 2016
Former heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin is set to see a decade’s worth of results revoked following an investigation which uncovered the previously unreported presence of a banned substance.
Povetkin, 45 and retired since 2021, tested positive for Ostarine in 2016 leading to him being served with a 1-year suspension before later returning to the sport.
However, as part of a broader probe into systematic doping in Russian sports, the International Testing Agency has uncovered that Povetkin also tested positive for Ostarine back in 2014.
He is now serving a four-year ‘period of ineligibility’ following the investigation.
The International Testing Agency said: ‘After being notified of the case and informed of his procedural rights, the athlete decided not to challenge the anti-doping rule violation.
Alexander Povetkin is serving a four-year ‘period of ineligibility’ following an investigation
The Russian – who previously faced Anthony Joshua – tested positive for Ostarine in 2014
Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) commonly used by athletes due to its muscle-building and performance-enhancing effects.
During his career, Povetkin has faced the likes of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte – and has held multiple different heavyweight titles.
When he took on Joshua in 2018, he suffered a 7th-round knockout defeat to lose out on the chance at becoming the unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion.
His professional record stands at 36-3-1 (25 KOs) however that could all change once a decision is made over his fight results.
His former opponent Joshua, meanwhile, has been tipped to make a return to the ring against rival Tyson Fury – despite the latter’s retirement announcement.
The two British heavyweights have shared a long-running and bitter rivalry over the years, with constant speculation at times that a highly-anticipated fight between them will finally take place.
Yet, despite strong public support for a bout and significant conjecture and negotiations, a showdown has never materialised. However, fans remains hopeful despite Fury’s recent retirement announcement.
