Alexander Povetkin suspended indefinitely for doping violation

Alexander Povetkin has been fined $250,000 and banned indefinitely by the WBC for doping violations.

Povetkin (31-1-KO23), 37, had been in line to face Bermane Stiverne in December for the WBC interim title, but the bout was cancelled after the Russian tested positive for the banned muscle-building substance ostarine.

His test failure was Povetkin's second such violation of 2016, having also failed a doping test in May ahead of a clash with WBC champion Deontay Wilder with his team revealing he had previously been taking meldonium, the substance added to the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list in January.

Povetkin avoided a ban arguing that he had stopped taking meldonium in 2015, before it was added to the prohibited list.

Now, though, in light of his most recent doping case, the World Boxing Council have placed an indefinite suspension and fine on Povetkin.

"Pursuant to the August 17, 2016, WBC Ruling, the WBC hereby rules that Mr. Povetkin shall be suspended for participating in any WBC-sanctioned bouts indefinitely; Mr. Povetkin shall pay a $250,000 USD fine to the WBC," the council said in its ruling.

Povetkin's suspension applies only to bouts sanctioned by the WBC, and the 37-year-old will be able to request that it be lifted after a year of negative tests for banned substances.

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