Povetkin Blows Hot, Now Facing Johan Duhaupas

Povetkin Blows Hot – The WBC interim world heavyweight title fight between Alexander Povetkin and Bermane Stiverne scheduled for later today in Ekaterinburg, Russia is off in abrupt fashion. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, fresh off the WBC’s 54th annual convention in Miami, announced that Povetkin had tested positive for a banned substance which he identified as Ostarine. Also known as MK-2866, Ostarine is a SARM (selective androgen receptor module) created by GTx to avoid and treat muscle wasting.

Bermane Stiverne will not be fighting, but Povetkin, who is Russian and has strong backing there, will apparently fight anyway, despite the positive drug test. His new opponent is Johann Duhaupas (34-3) of France. Duhaupas, currently ranked #9 ranked by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, is best remembered for his September of 2015 KO loss to Deontay Wilder. Duhaupas won the vacant WBC Silver belt in his last outing when he stopped previously unbeaten Finnish standout Robert Helenius as an underdog.

Povetkin Blows Hot

Povetkin backer Andrei Ryabinsky firmly backed his fighter through a previous drug-related incident earlier this year that led Povetkin’s world title shot with Deontay Wilder to go by the wayside. Some people may find it strange that Povetkin is still fighting after testing positive, but an arrangement had been made to have Duhaupas ready to step in. It’s unlikely that Duhaupas came to Ekaterinburg just to catch the fight.

Much, much more to come on this bizarre, late breaking story.

For reference, below are the Tweets from Sulaiman and the WBC.

The @WBCBoxing is officially withdrawing recognition of Povetkin vs Stiverne due to the positive result of Povetkin for Osterine

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) 17 de diciembre de 2016

The @WBCBoxing has been notified by @Vada_Testing of adverse result of banned substance Ostarine from Alexander Povetkin.Ruling to come soon

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) 17 de diciembre de 2016

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Graphic provided by our friend Marek Jelinek, Proboxing.cz