The career of Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev 34-4-1 (29) hangs in the balance after he reportedly tested positive for synthetic testosterone in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test.
The former WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion was scheduled to face rising star Bektemir ‘Bek the Bully’ Melikuziev 6-0 (5) on January 30 but that fight has now been cancelled.
The 37-year-old Russian returned a positive test from an A-sample taken on December 30. He is awaiting the results of his B-sample.
“VADA was contracted for this fight at his insistence, as he has requested for almost all of his fights going back several years,” Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva told ESPN.
“He maintains that he did not purposefully ingest any banned substances.”
Kovalev has not fought since being knocked out in the 11th round of his WBO light heavyweight title defence against Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 54-1-2 (36) in November 2019.
Golden Boy Promotions, who were set to promote the Kovalev-Melikuziev fight in Indio, California, issued a short statement about the cancellation.
“The Kovalev vs Melikuziev boxing event scheduled for Jan 30 has been cancelled following a positive test for a banned substance on behalf of Sergey Kovalev through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA),” the statement read.
“Upon learning of Kovalev’s adverse finding, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) determined that they must cancel the event.
“While we are crushed for ‘The Bully’ (Melikuziev), we know that he will nevertheless have a tremendous year in 2021. We look forward to our next scheduled boxing event on Feb 13.”
Melikuziev reacted to the news on social media: “I don’t like talking, but I said it last night – it makes no difference to me, just put him in the ring, let us fight regardless.”
Kovalev was once regarded amongst the world’s best boxers, ranked highly on most pound-for-pound lists. The three-time world titleholder holds wins over notable names Bernard Hopkins, Nathan Cleverly and Jean Pascal (twice).
Kovalev lost a 12-round decision to Andre Ward by a single point in 2016 but was stopped in eight rounds in their immediate rematch the following year.
His last victory came against then-undefeated Brit Anthony Yarde, who he stopped in 11 rounds in his hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia in August 2019.
