Alexander Povetkin cleared by new test results after Deontay Wilder saga, promoters claim

The promoters of Alexander Povetkin have stated that new drug test results prove the Russian is a clean athlete.

Povetkin (30-1-KO22) had been due to challenge Wilder for the WBC world heavyweight title at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow on May 21 but the fight was called off after his drugs test revealed traces of meldonium.

But now a statement from Ryabinsky Promoters claims: "The new doping test of the Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin, taken May 17, 2016, showed no traces of Meldonium. This was reported today by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) with reference to the results of analyses conducted by the laboratory in Los Angeles.

"The sample taken a week earlier also lacked traces of Meldonium. Thus, only one of Povetkin's six samples revealed extremely low concentrations of the prohibited drug.

"The new result proves that the positive sample in April was a residual effect of Mildronat taken last year. If the drug was taken in the period between April 11 and 27, traces would also have been found in the latest tests."

A further statement from one of Andrey Ryabinsky's social media outlets added: "Got new official tests on Povetkin. They're clean now. Opponent (Wilder) and some journalists will be apologising to us. And pay."

The WBC confirmed earlier this month that Wilder (36-0-KO35) has permission to make a voluntary defence of his title.