Janibek Alimkhanuly to have B-sample tested as investigation continues

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Janibek Alimkhanuly to have B-sample tested as investigation continues

Janibek Alimkhanuly’s unified middleweight title reign has extended into the new year.

The ultimate duration will depend on the outcome of an ongoing drug testing investigation.

BS has confirmed that Alimkhanuly and his team will observe the unsealing of his B-sample associated with his previous positive drug test. The session is scheduled for January 8, after which next steps will be determined based on the B-sample test results.

Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs), was removed from a three-belt unification clash with WBA 160lbs titlist Erislandy Lara, which had been due for December 6 in San Antonio. A November 15 sample collected through random drug testing as contracted through Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) discovered the presence of the banned substance meldonium.

Lara, 32-3-3 (19 KOs), went on to face Venezuela’s Johan Gonzalez on short notice and claimed a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision on the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach PBC undercard.

Meanwhile, Alimkhanuly has not fought since an April 5 homecoming title defense in Astana, Kazakhstan. He remains under indefinite suspension, pending the outcoming of the ongoing investigation.

As is the case with nearly every boxer who tests positive, Alimkhanuly not only professed his innocence but also expressed wonderment over how the banned substance was detected in his system.

“I have always supported clean sport you know this well,” Alimkhanuly stated at the time via social media. “I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins.

“I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest.”

As is the standard with all adverse findings in drug tests, the offending party has the right to request the testing of their B-sample. It is extremely rare for the results to differ.

However, there have been occasions when boxers were cleared upon proving contamination or a broken chain of custody in collecting the drug testing samples.

For now, Alimkhanuly is at the mercy of those looking into the matter.

At risk are his IBF and WBO title reigns, along with a potential suspension should he fail to be cleared of wrongdoing.

Alimkhanuly first claimed the interim version of the WBO 160lbs title in May 2022. He was upgraded to full titlist later that year and has made five successful defenses. Three have come with the IBF belt at stake, which he first claimed in an October 2023 knockout win over then-unbeaten titleholder Vincenzo Gualtieri.

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Janibek Alimkhanuly suspended For One Year after Failed Drug Test

The sanctioning body announced on Friday a one-year suspension for the WBO and IBF middleweight champion after he allegedly failed a drug test for a banned substance on November 15.

The suspension is retroactive to December 2, which will allow Alimkhanuly to fight again in nine-plus months.

“The WBO World Championship Committee hereby informs that, on yesterday's date, it unanimously resolved to suspend Middleweight Champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from participation in all boxing and/or exhibition events for a period of one (1) year, effective retroactively as of December 2, 2025,” Gustavo Olivieri, President of the WBO wrote on his X account. “The official written ruling, setting forth the full findings, terms, and conditions, will be published later today.”

Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) had been scheduled to face fellow champion Erislandy Lara, the division’s WBA champion, on December 6. However, the 32-year-old Kazakhstani was pulled from the card after allegedly testing positive for the banned drug Meldonium.

Meldonium has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2016. A 2015 study noted that it "demonstrates an increase in endurance performance of athletes, improved rehabilitation after exercise, protection against stress, and enhanced activations of central nervous system functions."

Alimkhanuly has denied wrongdoing.

In the meantime, Olivieri refuses to allow the division to become stagnant. So while Alimkhanuly serves his time on the bench, an interim champion will soon be crowned.

“In order to preserve the integrity and activity of the Middleweight Division, and to safeguard the rights and interests of the ranked contenders, the Committee shall authorize the contesting of the Interim Middleweight Championship between the WBO's #1 rated contender, Denzel Bentley, and the #2 rated contender, Endry Saavedra,” Olivieri said in the statement.

Olivieri evidently will allow Alimkhanuly to hold onto the WBO title if he abides by the rules once his suspension is up.

“Upon the expiration of his suspension, Mr. Alimkhanuly shall be mandated to face the duly recognized Interim Champion for the immediate termination of the interim status,” Olivieri said. “No intervening bouts shall be permitted. Failure to comply with these conditions shall result in the Committee taking such affirmative action as it deems necessary and appropriate under the WBO Regulations.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[giacomino]

Cool, so another B-side fighter will “earn” an interim belt, only to be elevated to a “full” title in a few months. Just what the once-great division needs

[Ruthless-RKO]

Janibek Alimkhanuly issued six-month suspension by Kazakhstan commission

On the heels of receiving sanctioning body-issued disciplinary action, Janibek Alimkhanuly was dealt an actual suspension by a presiding commission.

BS has confirmed that the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation (KPBF) has issued a six-month suspension to the unbeaten IBF/WBO middleweight titlist. The punishment is retroactive from last December 2, the point at which it was learned that Alimkhanuly tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium.

The positive drug test – as discovered from random drug testing contracted through VADA – resulted in Alimkhanuly being pulled from a December 6 three-belt 160lbs unification bout with WBA titlist Erislandy Lara in San Antonio, Texas. He has remained on indefinite suspension by the Association of Boxing Commissions, and was recently issued a one-year ban from participating in any WBO-sanctioned bouts but permitted to keep his title.

Because Alimkhanuly last fought in Kazakhstan – a knockout win over unbeaten Anauel Ngamissengue last April 5 in Astana – the local commission took control of the investigation.

According to the final report – a copy which was obtained by BS - the KPBF determined that Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs) ingested the substance in question from an emergency medical visit last May 7. Alimkhanuly reportedly suffered deteriorated health, at which point his “relatives sought immediate medical assistance at the Adam Clinic” in his Almaty hometown.

“The clinic’s official medical report documents the following: acute severe headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, transient bilateral visual disturbance, limb numbness [and] chest pressure.”

The final diagnosis was that Alimkhanuly suffered a transit ischemic attack (TIA) from a vertebrobasilar insufficiency. His condition was described as in need of urgent therapeutic intervention, which came with an assortment of prescribed medication.

Among the administered substances was Ripronat, which is legal in Kazakhstan but contains Meldonium. “The medical intervention, including the administration of Ripronat (Meldonium), was medically necessary, urgent, and professionally justified,” read the KPBF report. “The medical documentation submitted to the Commission is legitimate, complete, and verifiable through the national medical registry.

“[Alimkhanuly] stated that the brand name Ripronat did not lead him to associate the product with the prohibited substance Meldonium, which is commonly known internationally through other trademark names (e.g., “Mildronate”).”

It was this statement which prompted the eight-person commission panel to unanimously rule that Alimkhanuly was “found negligent to a minimal degree and is… [suspended] from professional boxing for six (6) months, effective from the date of provisional suspension (December 2, 2025).”

The ruling means Alimkhanuly cannot fight until June 2 at the earliest. He is also required to undergo random testing – at his own expense – and produce clean samples in order to resume his career.

For now, he will remain the WBO 160lbs titlist despite not being permitted to defend the belt until December 2, 2026.

BS has learned that IBF officials have received all pertinent information from the KPBF and are still reviewing the matter in full. It remains unclear when the New Jersey-headquartered sanctioning body will make a final ruling.

For now, the WBO has approved an interim title fight between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saveedra. The bout will take place as part of the April 4 Deontay Wilder-Derek Chisora DAZN pay-per-view event in London.

Per the WBO ruling, Alimkhanuly is required to face the winner in an immediate title consolidation bout upon his ring return. No exceptions will be granted.

The usage of interim titles is used conservatively by the WBO and even more so by the IBF. The latter has left its top two contenders – Etinosa Oliha and Shakiel Thompson – in limbo.

It was rumored weeks ago that the two would fight for the vacant title, but so far there is not any substance to those claims.

Alimkhanuly first claimed the interim version of the WBO 160lbs title in May 2022. He was upgraded to full titlist later that year and has made five successful defenses.

Three have come with the IBF belt at stake, which he won in an October 2023 knockout over then-unbeaten titleholder Vincenzo Gualtieri.

[MPW]

Janibek Alimkhanuly issued six-month suspension by Kazakhstan commission

On the heels of receiving sanctioning body-issued disciplinary action, Janibek Alimkhanuly was dealt an actual suspension by a presiding commission.

BS has confirmed that the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation (KPBF) has issued a six-month suspension to the unbeaten IBF/WBO middleweight titlist. The punishment is retroactive from last December 2, the point at which it was learned that Alimkhanuly tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium.

The positive drug test – as discovered from random drug testing contracted through VADA – resulted in Alimkhanuly being pulled from a December 6 three-belt 160lbs unification bout with WBA titlist Erislandy Lara in San Antonio, Texas. He has remained on indefinite suspension by the Association of Boxing Commissions, and was recently issued a one-year ban from participating in any WBO-sanctioned bouts but permitted to keep his title.

Because Alimkhanuly last fought in Kazakhstan – a knockout win over unbeaten Anauel Ngamissengue last April 5 in Astana – the local commission took control of the investigation.

According to the final report – a copy which was obtained by BS - the KPBF determined that Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs) ingested the substance in question from an emergency medical visit last May 7. Alimkhanuly reportedly suffered deteriorated health, at which point his “relatives sought immediate medical assistance at the Adam Clinic” in his Almaty hometown.

“The clinic’s official medical report documents the following: acute severe headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, transient bilateral visual disturbance, limb numbness [and] chest pressure.”

The final diagnosis was that Alimkhanuly suffered a transit ischemic attack (TIA) from a vertebrobasilar insufficiency. His condition was described as in need of urgent therapeutic intervention, which came with an assortment of prescribed medication.

Among the administered substances was Ripronat, which is legal in Kazakhstan but contains Meldonium. “The medical intervention, including the administration of Ripronat (Meldonium), was medically necessary, urgent, and professionally justified,” read the KPBF report. “The medical documentation submitted to the Commission is legitimate, complete, and verifiable through the national medical registry.

“[Alimkhanuly] stated that the brand name Ripronat did not lead him to associate the product with the prohibited substance Meldonium, which is commonly known internationally through other trademark names (e.g., “Mildronate”).”

It was this statement which prompted the eight-person commission panel to unanimously rule that Alimkhanuly was “found negligent to a minimal degree and is… [suspended] from professional boxing for six (6) months, effective from the date of provisional suspension (December 2, 2025).”

The ruling means Alimkhanuly cannot fight until June 2 at the earliest. He is also required to undergo random testing – at his own expense – and produce clean samples in order to resume his career.

For now, he will remain the WBO 160lbs titlist despite not being permitted to defend the belt until December 2, 2026.

BS has learned that IBF officials have received all pertinent information from the KPBF and are still reviewing the matter in full. It remains unclear when the New Jersey-headquartered sanctioning body will make a final ruling.

For now, the WBO has approved an interim title fight between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saveedra. The bout will take place as part of the April 4 Deontay Wilder-Derek Chisora DAZN pay-per-view event in London.

Per the WBO ruling, Alimkhanuly is required to face the winner in an immediate title consolidation bout upon his ring return. No exceptions will be granted.

The usage of interim titles is used conservatively by the WBO and even more so by the IBF. The latter has left its top two contenders – Etinosa Oliha and Shakiel Thompson – in limbo.

It was rumored weeks ago that the two would fight for the vacant title, but so far there is not any substance to those claims.

Alimkhanuly first claimed the interim version of the WBO 160lbs title in May 2022. He was upgraded to full titlist later that year and has made five successful defenses.

Three have come with the IBF belt at stake, which he won in an October 2023 knockout over then-unbeaten titleholder Vincenzo Gualtieri.

Assuming the medical documentation is accurate, Alimkhanuly suffered a medical issue - a TIA, which is called a mini-stroke but with symptoms indistinguishable from a full-blown stroke - and received potentially lifesaving treatment, including a medicine which unbeknownst to him contained the prohibited substance Meldonium. He is eventually suspended for a subsequent failed drug test because the drug used to treat him contained a banned substance.

The suspensions now seem kind of harsh to me, especially when considering there have been boxers with flimsy "reasons" for failed tests that have dodged penalties. I suppose hardliners would say it's up to the athlete to know what they put in their bodies at all times, and I don't necessarily dispute that, but does that include the medicines provided during potentially lifesaving intervention?

I guess the most concerning issue would be why is a supposedly healthy, physically fit professional athlete in the prime of his career suffering a TIA? I suspect - but don't know - that Alimkhanuly lives a more healthy lifestyle that should reduce the likelihood of suffering a stroke, but that could also mean he is genetically predisposed to suffer another TIA or full-blown stroke in the future.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not like he had a fight scheduled

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Janibek Alimkhanuly has been stripped of his IBF middleweight world title, The Ring has confirmed.

The IBF cited multiple violations of its rules for the stripping, including PED usage. Janibek previously failed a VADA test taken last November.

He still holds his WBO belt, but is currently serving a year long suspension the sanctioning body handed to him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Janibek Alimkhanuly stripped of IBF title for doping violation

While one IBF titlist was spared his fate on Tuesday, the same could not be said for Janibek Alimkhanuly.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the unbeaten Kazakh southpaw was stripped of his IBF middleweight title for a previous doping violation. In a ruling distributed on Tuesday, the sanctioning body cited IBF Rule 18 covering drug testing in its justification relieve Alimkhanuly of his reign.


“Alimkhanuly is due to make a Mandatory defense of his IBF Middleweight title on or before July 4, 2026. The IBF must notify Zhanibek Alimkhanuly of his Mandatory defense on or around May 4, 2026,” IBF Championships Committee chairman George Martinez outlined in a ruling obtained by Boxing Scene. “The penalties imposed by Rule 18. prohibit Alimkhanuly from being ranked by the IBF or “participat[ing] in any IBF sanctioned bout” [emphasis added] for one (1) year following his suspension for an anti-doping violation.

“Alimkhanuly’s suspension by the KPBF is effective as of December 2, 2025, and the resulting one-year period of ineligibility therefore expires on December 2, 2026. Accordingly, Alimkhanuly is unable to fulfill his Mandatory defense obligation on July 4, 2026.

“On March 5, 2026, the IBF Board of Directors participated in a teleconference to discuss this matter. A majority of the Directors determined that, in light of the foregoing, the IBF Middleweight title should be vacated immediately.”

As previously reported by Boxing Scene, Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs) was issued a backdated six-month suspension by the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation (KPBF) that will run through June 2. The date is six months from December 2, when Alimkhanuly was pulled from a planned three-belt unification clash with Erislandy Lara after testing positive for Meldonium.

Alimkhanuly was due to risk his IBF and WBO titles versus Lara, the reigning WBA titleholder.

The ruling by the KBPF triggered a similar disciplinary action from the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), who converted his indefinite suspension to one with a hard June 1 deadline.

A separate ruling from the WBO left Alimkhanuly unable to participate in its sanctioned bouts for a minimum of one year. However, the WBO suspension applies only to its title fight and eliminators, as sanctioning bodies do not have the authority to suspend a boxer beyond its own jurisdiction.

Regardless, he will be down to one title whenever he returns to the ring. Additionally, he will have to undergo continued random drug testing – at his own expense – and provide clean samples prior to his reinstatement.

Because Alimkhanuly last fought in Kazakhstan – a knockout win over unbeaten Anauel Ngamissengue last April 5 in Astana – the local commission took control of the investigation.

According to the final report – a copy which was obtained by Boxing Scene - the KPBF determined that Alimkhanuly ingested the substance in question from an emergency medical visit last May 7. Alimkhanuly reportedly suffered deteriorated health, at which point his “relatives sought immediate medical assistance at the Adam Clinic” in his Almaty hometown.

“The clinic’s official medical report documents the following: acute severe headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, transient bilateral visual disturbance, limb numbness [and] chest pressure.”

The final diagnosis was that Alimkhanuly suffered a transit ischemic attach (TIA) from a vertebrobasilar insufficiency. His condition was described as in need of urgent therapeutic intervention, which came with an assortment of prescribed medication.

Among the administered substances was Ripronat, which is legal in Kazakhstan but contains Meldonium. “The medical intervention, including the administration of Ripronat (Meldonium), was medically necessary, urgent, and professionally justified,” read the KPBF report. “The medical documentation submitted to the Commission is legitimate, complete, and verifiable through the national medical registry.

“[Alimkhanuly] stated that the brand name Ripronat did not lead him to associate the product with the prohibited substance Meldonium, which is commonly known internationally through other trademark names (e.g., “Mildronate”).”

An eight-person panel found Alimkhanuly negligent to a minimal degree, which resulted in the backdated six-month suspension.

Upon his return to the sport, Alimkhanuly – should he remain at 160lbs and with the WBO title still in tow – will have to face the winner of the April 4 Denzel Bentley-Endry Saveedra interim title fight in London.

IBF officials have to rule on fulfilling its vacancy. However, it’s believed that a title fight will be ordered between Etinosa Oliha and Shakiel Thompson, though it may require some work.

Sheffield’s Thompson, 15-0 (11 KOs) is the IBF No. 3 contender at middleweight, one spot below Italy’s Oliha, 21-0 (9 KOs). However, the Brit is currently scheduled to next face countryman Brad Pauls, 20-2-1 (11 KOs) on Queensberry Promotions’ March 28 “Magnificent 7” show in Manchester, England.

It is possible that Thompson is pulled from the already rescheduled fight – the entire card was shifted from late January when headlining heavyweight Moses Itauma suffered an injury.

Regardless, Oliha is first in line to fight for the now available title.

Alimkhanuly held the IBF title since a sixth-round knockout win over then-unbeaten titleholder Vincenzo Gualtieri in their October 2023 unification bout. He made three defenses of the IBF belt and five overall with the WBO title at stake.

Tuesday’s ruling came hours after the IBF determined that the case involving cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, 30-0 (23 KOs) – not at all drug-related – remained in deliberation.

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IBF Strips Janibek Alimkhanuly Of Its Middleweight Title

The IBF hadn’t decided by Tuesday whether to strip Jai Opetaia of its cruiserweight title.

The New Jersey-based sanctioning organization has, however, taken its 160-pound championship from besmirched middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly. The Ring confirmed that the Kazakh southpaw’s manager, Egis Klimas, was informed of the IBF’s decision Tuesday in a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Ring.

The IBF cited multiple violations of its rules for stripping Alimkhanuly, first and foremost for using a performance-enhancing drug. Alimkhanuly also can’t satisfy his mandatory obligation within the allotted time because he tested positive for Meldonium, a banned substance, in mid-November.

Failing that PED test previously cost Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) his spot in a title unification fight against WBA champ Erislandy Lara, which was scheduled for December 6 in San Antonio. He wasn’t officially removed from the Lara bout until four days before they were supposed to square off on the Isaac Cruz-Lamont Roach undercard at Frost Bank Center.

The A and B samples Alimkhanuly submitted to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, which administered testing for their fight, came back positive for a PED that can help boxers enhance endurance and shorten recovery time while training.
Alimkhanuly still holds the WBO belt, but the Puerto Rico-based governing body suspended him for a year late in February. That suspension is retroactive to December 2, the date his PED problem became public knowledge.

The WBO also ordered its No. 1 middleweight contender, Denzel Bentley, to face second-ranked Endry Saavedra for its interim title. England’s Bentley (21-3-1, 17 KOs) and Venezuela’s Saavedra (17-1-1, 14 KOs) are scheduled to fight April 4 on the Deontay Wilder-Derek Chisora undercard at O2 Arena in London.

Alimkhanuly, 32, has also been suspended by the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States until June 1. Thirteen of Alimkhanuly’s 17 pro bouts have taken place in the U.S.

He was also suspended until May 31 by the Kazakhstan Federation of Professional Boxing. Three of Alimkhanuly’s other four professional fights have been held in his native country.

Alimkhanuly hasn’t boxed since he stopped Congolese contender Anauel Ngamissengue (15-1, 10 KOs) in the fifth round April 5 at Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan.

[MPW]

It's good to see the IBF held the hardline on this case. I just wish the other alphabet organizations would take similar stances with fighters who fail drug tests.

[chucktaylor]

Based on the medical explanation, it seems he had a legit reason for taking the drug. It's a better excuse than what we often see in other cases. I don't think an athlete should be forced to forgo a prescribed treatment for a malady. I understand not being able to compete until the drug is out of his system, but the suspension and title loss is harsh.

[Bobbyptsd]

It seems fucky to me that some guys have to take a class and nothing much else, some guys just fight somewhere else and it kind of gets forgotten, then you have a case like Alimkhanuly where his career is essentially ruined. Some decisions are overturned, and some not. It would be nice if it was consistent at least.

[Bobbyptsd]

And I get that these are not all the same organizations, but it's hard for me to see it as "Good job get the guy cheating whether he had a reason or not, no tolerance" but then Mathias or Garcia or countless other guys it's just like "oh well, pencils and erasers it's in the past"