Wilder v Povetkin - who's dirty?

[Rob3_142]

The OP's title to this thread is not only misleading, it is downright stupid. When one fighter in a championship fight tests positive for a banned drug, the WBC in this case calls off the fight and refuses to sanction it. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who is at fault for it not happening.

We do have a few on the forum that will dispute anything against their hero whether true or not. A box of rocks has more sense than they do.

Hey, I agree with you, but that's not why the thread was made. So far 19 votes have been made, and over quarter still think it's a conspiracy.

I was sick of people constantly bringing it up as a point of argument in other threads, so thought it best to bring it out in the open, hash it out, and find out where the majority lay.

I think the bigger picture here, is how this kind of corruption can happen, be it freelanced drug usage or the manipulation of matchmaking.

[Kalan]

I feel that the forum is almost split between who was responsible for the fight between the two not taking place.

Some say that Wilder is protected by the WBC, and the failed drugs test is just a plant to further protect him from fighting a dangerous man.

On the other hand, it seems that Povetkin is just addicted to PED's and his career will nose dive into obscurity.

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I'd like to point out that Haiti is not in the united States.

[Kalan]

It's in North America... The WBC's and VADA's sphere of influence... Stiverne's first language is English and he lives and fights out of Las Vegas... They fined him 75,000 dollars and didn't withdraw recognition from him as mandatory challenger to Wilder if he beat Povetkin.

Povetkin supposedly tests positive for a micro-trace of ostarine---which is not a steroid and was legal to take for decades---until for political reasons it was added to the list. They came out with this "adverse" test result just before the fight and withdrew recognition immediately -- even though they've been 100% wrong about Povetkin in the past -- and his B sample hasn't even been tested... They're so ham handed it's ridiculous and I believe they're crooks.

[Badhusker]

It's in North America... The WBC's and VADA's sphere of influence... Stiverne's first language is English and he lives and fights out of Las Vegas... They fined him 75,000 dollars and didn't withdraw recognition from him as mandatory challenger to Wilder if he beat Povetkin.

Povetkin supposedly tests positive for a micro-trace of ostarine---which is not a steroid and was legal to take for decades---until for political reasons it was added to the list. They came out with this "adverse" test result just before the fight and withdrew recognition immediately -- even though they've been 100% wrong about Povetkin in the past -- and his B sample hasn't even been tested... They're so ham handed it's ridiculous and I believe they're crooks.

Not that its a big deal, but Haiti is in Central America, and not technically part of any continent. It is sometimes incorrectly associated with North America. They are actually a member of the African union starting a few years ago.

Lets be clear about Povetkin's first failed test that killed the Wilder fight. He DID have the drug meldonium in him and it was a positive test in both samples. They cleared him only because he had an allowable limit since the drug was recently banned. If the B sample for ostarine is positive, he will be suspended. It's effects are similar to anabolic steriods, and was banned because of that in 2008. Maybe Povetkin will get lucky and only get a 6 month ban and a fine like Bute did.

[bigman1968]

I feel that the forum is almost split between who was responsible for the fight between the two not taking place.

Some say that Wilder is protected by the WBC, and the failed drugs test is just a plant to further protect him from fighting a dangerous man.

On the other hand, it seems that Povetkin is just addicted to PED's and his career will nose dive into obscurity.

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

No, he wasn't cleared, just read the WBC ruling. He was stripped from his mandatory status and was put under probation, with special VADA test program, on his own expense. In case he'll test positive again (what he did) - he'll be authomaticly stripped and banned.
So if B sample will be also dirty - WBC should apply their own ruling. On the other hand - they really want Riabinski's money-))))...So who knows what excuse they'll pull tojustify the junkey...

[Impractical Poster]

It's a strange world when a fighter has been caught taking banned substances twice thus voiding the fight at hand, and it is the clean fighter's fault the fight didn't get made. I'm actually baffled by some of these responses.

[RScarf1]

Someone has a video on YouTube and he believes that Povetkin's test must have been tampered with. Showtime never picked up the Stiverne vs. Povetkin fight, so he thinks Showtime knew all along that this was going to happen. He also said that it makes no sense that Povetkin would jeopardize his career with a minor PED. He believes that the powers that be wanted Povetkin out of the way so that Wilder would not have to fight him.

[sweetviolenturge]

Someone has a video on YouTube and he believes that Povetkin's test must have been tampered with. Showtime never picked up the Stiverne vs. Povetkin fight, so he thinks Showtime knew all along that this was going to happen. He also said that it makes no sense that Povetkin would jeopardize his career with a minor PED. He believes that the powers that be wanted Povetkin out of the way so that Wilder would not have to fight him.

That video is nonsense. Utterly untrue.
Showtime was scheduled to televise the Wilder-Povetkin fight from Russia at 4:30 EST here in The States. I distinctly remember the advertisements for it on TV & a banner ad that was carried on both Fightnews.com & BS.com.

[Impractical Poster]

Someone has a video on YouTube and he believes that Povetkin's test must have been tampered with. Showtime never picked up the Stiverne vs. Povetkin fight, so he thinks Showtime knew all along that this was going to happen. He also said that it makes no sense that Povetkin would jeopardize his career with a minor PED. He believes that the powers that be wanted Povetkin out of the way so that Wilder would not have to fight him.

Trace amounts of banned substances point more towards improper cycle timing than tampered results. But whatever. I'm not saying it's impossible that tampering happened, just unlikely. There are less devious and non-illegal ways of ducking a fighter. There is a lot of risk involved in tampering with a urine/blood sample.

[RScarf1]

Thanks for both comments. I didn't have enough information on it. I guess people are either going to believe one side or the other.

[Badhusker]

Thanks for both comments. I didn't have enough information on it. I guess people are either going to believe one side or the other.

Stiverne said he was approached by Povetkin's team on Tuesday of the week of the fight (a week after Povetkin's positive test). They were telling Stiverne that if he backs out of the fight they already have a replacement. Hmmm...

[Tanzio]

Someone has a video on YouTube and he believes that Povetkin's test must have been tampered with. Showtime never picked up the Stiverne vs. Povetkin fight, so he thinks Showtime knew all along that this was going to happen. He also said that it makes no sense that Povetkin would jeopardize his career with a minor PED. He believes that the powers that be wanted Povetkin out of the way so that Wilder would not have to fight him.

Trace amounts of banned substances point more towards improper cycle timing than tampered results. But whatever. I'm not saying it's impossible that tampering happened, just unlikely. There are less devious and non-illegal ways of ducking a fighter. There is a lot of risk involved in tampering with a urine/blood sample.

Just ask the Russian secret service (FSB).

[asdfjkl]

Thanks for both comments. I didn't have enough information on it. I guess people are either going to believe one side or the other.

Stiverne said he was approached by Povetkin's team on Tuesday of the week of the fight (a week after Povetkin's positive test). They were telling Stiverne that if he backs out of the fight they already have a replacement. Hmmm...

Yes ofcourse, it was obvious Stiverne was not in shape at all, on top of that, the WBC, as well as Wada teamworked to annoy Povetkin as much as possible. So Stiverne backing out of the fight was expected. Since that was expected, it's normal that replacement has been taken care of.

[RScarf1]

Andy Ruiz did not look in shape against Joseph Parker, but that fight still happened, but Ruiz always looks pudgy.

[davie]

Probably neither man.

Their just pawns in a big money game of chess they don't even realise they're playing

Haymon and Ryabinski, their promoters and managers and coaches and teams and TV companies are the kings and Queens and Rooks and Bishops

[Kalan]

Someone has a video on YouTube and he believes that Povetkin's test must have been tampered with. Showtime never picked up the Stiverne vs. Povetkin fight, so he thinks Showtime knew all along that this was going to happen. He also said that it makes no sense that Povetkin would jeopardize his career with a minor PED. He believes that the powers that be wanted Povetkin out of the way so that Wilder would not have to fight him.

Trace amounts of banned substances point more towards improper cycle timing than tampered results. But whatever. I'm not saying it's impossible that tampering happened, just unlikely. There are less devious and non-illegal ways of ducking a fighter. There is a lot of risk involved in tampering with a urine/blood sample.

Just ask the Russian secret service (FSB).

Intelligence agencies don't get involved with stuff like Boxing. It's beneath them. This is for private industry crooks like VADA and the WBC.. We know these guys are liars, thieves, bastards, and cut-throats.. They did this to Povetkin before on Meldonium and stayed out of jail.. They'll keep pushing it until people wake up and smell the coffee.. If a drug testing agency accused Povetkin falsely once -- why would you ever believe them again?????

[Rob3_142]

I feel that the forum is almost split between who was responsible for the fight between the two not taking place.

Some say that Wilder is protected by the WBC, and the failed drugs test is just a plant to further protect him from fighting a dangerous man.

On the other hand, it seems that Povetkin is just addicted to PED's and his career will nose dive into obscurity.

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

Is it possible you can get your head out your ass? Povetkin has failed two drug tests in the last 12 months which has resulted in the Wilder and Stiverne fights being called off.

The first failed test was for Melodonium. Now it has since been disclosed by Povetkin's promoter (reputable source unavailable) that Povetkin is now clean, and that the amount was a trace substance which was taken before the substance was banned. However, how about we look at the facts here? Athletes were advised by WADA that Melodonium would be added to the banned list in October 2015, and Povetkin failed the test in May 2016. That is 7 months. Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours, which would mean that there would have to be a hell of a lot of the drug in the system in October to still be showing trace amounts in May. It's clear that the Russian's have been exploiting the use of a drug used for coronary heart disease for performance enhancing effects for some time, and Povetkin must have had almost toxic amounts of the drug in his system at the deadline of the drug being legal. That said, Maria Sharapova was handed a two year back-dated ban for the same thing, so it just goes to show the lack of seriousness which has been applied here in boxing. At the end of the day, there is no excuse, Povetkin and his team need to be made accountable for the levels reported, and should have been punished accordingly.

Then just to make things worse, 7 months later, he fails another test, this time with Ostarine. Ostarine has been a banned substance since January 2008. There has been no indication from anyone that he has been cleared by the WBC or VADA/WADA. If there is a reputable source, please include a link. If his B sample does come back positive, then he should be applied a lengthy ban. Even Ryabinsky has admitted the substance was there and has stated "It's not clear where it came from." It's irrelevant where it came from (unless there was sample tampering - which is a different story altogether), it's the fact it is there in the first place.

At the end of the day, this guy has been caught out in two separate tests for two seperate drugs within 12 months, which suggests that this guy is dirty. If he is innocent and clean, which all the evidence suggests otherwise, someone else is accountable. Either the WBC or VADA need to make a statement that they've made an error and rectify the situation, and if they don't they will be made liable for legal action. I will wait to see what happens on that front, but as it stands, Povetkin has done nothing to help his own situation and has failed two drug tests, and should be banned from the sports.

It seems the only 'fkking idiot' here is you, and your total failure to just read the post properly. I was not calling Povetkin a cheat, I was describing the two scenarios and asking you to vote on one or the other. I should have perhaps added a 3rd vote option which would allow you to choose VADA, but does not justify your ill-advised vile posting.

[bigman1968]

It's in North America... The WBC's and VADA's sphere of influence... Stiverne's first language is English and he lives and fights out of Las Vegas... They fined him 75,000 dollars and didn't withdraw recognition from him as mandatory challenger to Wilder if he beat Povetkin.

Povetkin supposedly tests positive for a micro-trace of ostarine---which is not a steroid and was legal to take for decades---until for political reasons it was added to the list. They came out with this "adverse" test result just before the fight and withdrew recognition immediately -- even though they've been 100% wrong about Povetkin in the past -- and his B sample hasn't even been tested... They're so ham handed it's ridiculous and I believe they're crooks.

Stiverne was born in Haiti and moved to Canada. His first language is French, actually.

[tiny_acres]

I feel that the forum is almost split between who was responsible for the fight between the two not taking place.

Some say that Wilder is protected by the WBC, and the failed drugs test is just a plant to further protect him from fighting a dangerous man.

On the other hand, it seems that Povetkin is just addicted to PED's and his career will nose dive into obscurity.

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

Is it possible you can get your head out your ass? Povetkin has failed two drug tests in the last 12 months which has resulted in the Wilder and Stiverne fights being called off.

The first failed test was for Melodonium. Now it has since been disclosed by Povetkin's promoter (reputable source unavailable) that Povetkin is now clean, and that the amount was a trace substance which was taken before the substance was banned. However, how about we look at the facts here? Athletes were advised by WADA that Melodonium would be added to the banned list in October 2015, and Povetkin failed the test in May 2016. That is 7 months. Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours, which would mean that there would have to be a hell of a lot of the drug in the system in October to still be showing trace amounts in May. It's clear that the Russian's have been exploiting the use of a drug used for coronary heart disease for performance enhancing effects for some time, and Povetkin must have had almost toxic amounts of the drug in his system at the deadline of the drug being legal. That said, Maria Sharapova was handed a two year back-dated ban for the same thing, so it just goes to show the lack of seriousness which has been applied here in boxing. At the end of the day, there is no excuse, Povetkin and his team need to be made accountable for the levels reported, and should have been punished accordingly.

Then just to make things worse, 7 months later, he fails another test, this time with Ostarine. Ostarine has been a banned substance since January 2008. There has been no indication from anyone that he has been cleared by the WBC or VADA/WADA. If there is a reputable source, please include a link. If his B sample does come back positive, then he should be applied a lengthy ban. Even Ryabinsky has admitted the substance was there and has stated "It's not clear where it came from." It's irrelevant where it came from (unless there was sample tampering - which is a different story altogether), it's the fact it is there in the first place.

At the end of the day, this guy has been caught out in two separate tests for two seperate drugs within 12 months, which suggests that this guy is dirty. If he is innocent and clean, which all the evidence suggests otherwise, someone else is accountable. Either the WBC or VADA need to make a statement that they've made an error and rectify the situation, and if they don't they will be made liable for legal action. I will wait to see what happens on that front, but as it stands, Povetkin has done nothing to help his own situation and has failed two drug tests, and should be banned from the sports.

It seems the only 'fkking idiot' here is you, and your total failure to just read the post properly. I was not calling Povetkin a cheat, I was describing the two scenarios and asking you to vote on one or the other. I should have perhaps added a 3rd vote option which would allow you to choose VADA, but does not justify your ill-advised vile posting.

Good post.

[Badhusker]

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

Is it possible you can get your head out your ass? Povetkin has failed two drug tests in the last 12 months which has resulted in the Wilder and Stiverne fights being called off.

The first failed test was for Melodonium. Now it has since been disclosed by Povetkin's promoter (reputable source unavailable) that Povetkin is now clean, and that the amount was a trace substance which was taken before the substance was banned. However, how about we look at the facts here? Athletes were advised by WADA that Melodonium would be added to the banned list in October 2015, and Povetkin failed the test in May 2016. That is 7 months. Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours, which would mean that there would have to be a hell of a lot of the drug in the system in October to still be showing trace amounts in May. It's clear that the Russian's have been exploiting the use of a drug used for coronary heart disease for performance enhancing effects for some time, and Povetkin must have had almost toxic amounts of the drug in his system at the deadline of the drug being legal. That said, Maria Sharapova was handed a two year back-dated ban for the same thing, so it just goes to show the lack of seriousness which has been applied here in boxing. At the end of the day, there is no excuse, Povetkin and his team need to be made accountable for the levels reported, and should have been punished accordingly.

Then just to make things worse, 7 months later, he fails another test, this time with Ostarine. Ostarine has been a banned substance since January 2008. There has been no indication from anyone that he has been cleared by the WBC or VADA/WADA. If there is a reputable source, please include a link. If his B sample does come back positive, then he should be applied a lengthy ban. Even Ryabinsky has admitted the substance was there and has stated "It's not clear where it came from." It's irrelevant where it came from (unless there was sample tampering - which is a different story altogether), it's the fact it is there in the first place.

At the end of the day, this guy has been caught out in two separate tests for two seperate drugs within 12 months, which suggests that this guy is dirty. If he is innocent and clean, which all the evidence suggests otherwise, someone else is accountable. Either the WBC or VADA need to make a statement that they've made an error and rectify the situation, and if they don't they will be made liable for legal action. I will wait to see what happens on that front, but as it stands, Povetkin has done nothing to help his own situation and has failed two drug tests, and should be banned from the sports.

It seems the only 'fkking idiot' here is you, and your total failure to just read the post properly. I was not calling Povetkin a cheat, I was describing the two scenarios and asking you to vote on one or the other. I should have perhaps added a 3rd vote option which would allow you to choose VADA, but does not justify your ill-advised vile posting.

Good post.

X2

[Enlightened-One]

WADA/VADA/WBC has never deemed Alexander Povetkin as being guilty of intentionally doping.

Povetkin's team revealed that his positive sample, from the December 6th test, only contained a minute trace of ostarine - [0,00000000001g], which is an unfathomably small amount.

I don't believe the outcome of the second 6th December B-sample test has been disclosed publicly yet.

Povetkin's random tests from November 15th and December 13th also came up clean.

The WBC's PED investigation into Alexander Povetkin won't be completed by early 2017.

Therefore, VADA/WBC has yet to determine Povetkin's guilt of intentionally doping.

Shouldn't we all consider the possibility that Povetkin may eventually be cleared of the current set of PED allegations, instead of automatically jumping to conclusions by assuming the Russian's guilt based on nothing but the "no smoke without fire" justice system?

[boxing_rocks]

I feel that the forum is almost split between who was responsible for the fight between the two not taking place.

Some say that Wilder is protected by the WBC, and the failed drugs test is just a plant to further protect him from fighting a dangerous man.

On the other hand, it seems that Povetkin is just addicted to PED's and his career will nose dive into obscurity.

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

Is it possible you can get your head out your ass? Povetkin has failed two drug tests in the last 12 months which has resulted in the Wilder and Stiverne fights being called off.

The first failed test was for Melodonium. Now it has since been disclosed by Povetkin's promoter (reputable source unavailable) that Povetkin is now clean, and that the amount was a trace substance which was taken before the substance was banned. However, how about we look at the facts here? Athletes were advised by WADA that Melodonium would be added to the banned list in October 2015, and Povetkin failed the test in May 2016. That is 7 months. Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours, which would mean that there would have to be a hell of a lot of the drug in the system in October to still be showing trace amounts in May. It's clear that the Russian's have been exploiting the use of a drug used for coronary heart disease for performance enhancing effects for some time, and Povetkin must have had almost toxic amounts of the drug in his system at the deadline of the drug being legal. That said, Maria Sharapova was handed a two year back-dated ban for the same thing, so it just goes to show the lack of seriousness which has been applied here in boxing. At the end of the day, there is no excuse, Povetkin and his team need to be made accountable for the levels reported, and should have been punished accordingly.

Then just to make things worse, 7 months later, he fails another test, this time with Ostarine. Ostarine has been a banned substance since January 2008. There has been no indication from anyone that he has been cleared by the WBC or VADA/WADA. If there is a reputable source, please include a link. If his B sample does come back positive, then he should be applied a lengthy ban. Even Ryabinsky has admitted the substance was there and has stated "It's not clear where it came from." It's irrelevant where it came from (unless there was sample tampering - which is a different story altogether), it's the fact it is there in the first place.

At the end of the day, this guy has been caught out in two separate tests for two seperate drugs within 12 months, which suggests that this guy is dirty. If he is innocent and clean, which all the evidence suggests otherwise, someone else is accountable. Either the WBC or VADA need to make a statement that they've made an error and rectify the situation, and if they don't they will be made liable for legal action. I will wait to see what happens on that front, but as it stands, Povetkin has done nothing to help his own situation and has failed two drug tests, and should be banned from the sports.

It seems the only 'fkking idiot' here is you, and your total failure to just read the post properly. I was not calling Povetkin a cheat, I was describing the two scenarios and asking you to vote on one or the other. I should have perhaps added a 3rd vote option which would allow you to choose VADA, but does not justify your ill-advised vile posting.

WADA's decision on meldonium listing allowable limits before a certain date cleared Povetkin. Look for sources yourself, dumb ass. They were provided months ago.

What is your source for this crap "Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours" ??? Some dummygraphic youtube video?

[Rob3_142]

It seems that you're a fkking idiot who hasn't heard Povetkin was completely cleared of the 1st allegations that VADA made... And now it appears he's innocent again of taking any PEDs... So he's not going to nose dive, but has to be discouraged that dirty players like VADA exist is this dirty game.

Is it possible you can get your head out your ass? Povetkin has failed two drug tests in the last 12 months which has resulted in the Wilder and Stiverne fights being called off.

The first failed test was for Melodonium. Now it has since been disclosed by Povetkin's promoter (reputable source unavailable) that Povetkin is now clean, and that the amount was a trace substance which was taken before the substance was banned. However, how about we look at the facts here? Athletes were advised by WADA that Melodonium would be added to the banned list in October 2015, and Povetkin failed the test in May 2016. That is 7 months. Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours, which would mean that there would have to be a hell of a lot of the drug in the system in October to still be showing trace amounts in May. It's clear that the Russian's have been exploiting the use of a drug used for coronary heart disease for performance enhancing effects for some time, and Povetkin must have had almost toxic amounts of the drug in his system at the deadline of the drug being legal. That said, Maria Sharapova was handed a two year back-dated ban for the same thing, so it just goes to show the lack of seriousness which has been applied here in boxing. At the end of the day, there is no excuse, Povetkin and his team need to be made accountable for the levels reported, and should have been punished accordingly.

Then just to make things worse, 7 months later, he fails another test, this time with Ostarine. Ostarine has been a banned substance since January 2008. There has been no indication from anyone that he has been cleared by the WBC or VADA/WADA. If there is a reputable source, please include a link. If his B sample does come back positive, then he should be applied a lengthy ban. Even Ryabinsky has admitted the substance was there and has stated "It's not clear where it came from." It's irrelevant where it came from (unless there was sample tampering - which is a different story altogether), it's the fact it is there in the first place.

At the end of the day, this guy has been caught out in two separate tests for two seperate drugs within 12 months, which suggests that this guy is dirty. If he is innocent and clean, which all the evidence suggests otherwise, someone else is accountable. Either the WBC or VADA need to make a statement that they've made an error and rectify the situation, and if they don't they will be made liable for legal action. I will wait to see what happens on that front, but as it stands, Povetkin has done nothing to help his own situation and has failed two drug tests, and should be banned from the sports.

It seems the only 'fkking idiot' here is you, and your total failure to just read the post properly. I was not calling Povetkin a cheat, I was describing the two scenarios and asking you to vote on one or the other. I should have perhaps added a 3rd vote option which would allow you to choose VADA, but does not justify your ill-advised vile posting.

WADA's decision on meldonium listing allowable limits before a certain date cleared Povetkin. Look for sources yourself, dumb ass. They were provided months ago.

What is your source for this crap "Melodonium has a half life of 4-6 hours" ??? Some dummygraphic youtube video?

I work in medical research, this information is very easy to acquire.

Do you want to tell Maria Sharapova this then? She failed a test at the end of January, less than a month when the ban came into affect which resulted in a two year ban. He failed a test 7 months after he knew that the substance was going to be coming into affect, so there is no excuse for not taking the necessary precautions. But of course I'm just repeating myself, and considering you didn't read my original post, there is little reason to think you'd read this one.

[Rob3_142]

WADA/VADA/WBC has never deemed Alexander Povetkin as being guilty of intentionally doping.

Povetkin's team revealed that his positive sample, from the December 6th test, only contained a minute trace of ostarine - [0,00000000001g], which is an unfathomably small amount.

I don't believe the outcome of the second 6th December B-sample test has been disclosed publicly yet.

Povetkin's random tests from November 15th and December 13th also came up clean.

The WBC's PED investigation into Alexander Povetkin won't be completed by early 2017.

Therefore, VADA/WBC has yet to determine Povetkin's guilt of intentionally doping.

Shouldn't we all consider the possibility that Povetkin may eventually be cleared of the current set of PED allegations, instead of automatically jumping to conclusions by assuming the Russian's guilt based on nothing but the "no smoke without fire" justice system?

I think the problem is it's a catalogue of events which have made people more suspicious about these circumstances than perhaps normal. Obviously the state-sponsored doping which has been so topical recently does not help one bit (and I'm not suggesting they're associated at all). Then the successive failed drug tests (or as originally reported anyway). Let's say he is innocent. There's a lot to consider;

1) Who is accountable for these failed tests?

2) What were the real reasons for the traces found in the latest test? Contamination?

3) What are the genuine thresholds for 'trace' amounts?

If he is innocent, and this is a case of manipulation or mistake, Povetkin is one extremely unlucky guy. I for one will be looking forward to there being a comprehensive investigation, and the outcome of that investigation to either result in a libel case against the responsible parties and reinstatement as number 1 contender in the WBC, or a lengthy ban for Povetkin.

I for one, am not optimistic. But I will hold my judgement until the result of any such investigation.