Alexander Povetkin’s sample A shows adverse result for the banned substance Meldonium

LUDWIGSBURG, GERMANY – DECEMBER 05: Alexander Povetkin of Russia poses after winning his Heavyweight fight against Leo Nolan of the US at the Arena Ludwigsburg on December 5, 2009 in Ludwigsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

WBC World Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder and Mandatory Challenger Alexander Povetkin voluntarily agreed to the WBC Clean Boxing Program and be tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) in connection with their upcoming May 21, 2016, WBC World Heavyweight Championship. Today, VADA reported to the WBC and to the fighters’ camps the results of an anti-doping test Challenger Alexander Povetkin underwent from a sample collected on April 27, 2016. VADA’s report states that Challenger Alexander Povetkin’s sample A showed an adverse result for the banned substance Meldonium. The WBC also received specific information from the World AntiDoping Agency about such substance Meldonium.

The WBC’s priority is and will always be safety, fair play and justice . In order to continue to strive for the absolute safety of the boxers and for a just and fair outcome for all parties involved, the WBC is conducting an in-depth investigation of this matter. The WBC will make a public announcement in the very near future concerning the results of its investigation and any appropriate steps that it will take.