The saga of Alexander Povetkin's drug tests has now entered a strange turn.
Povetkin, who failed a drug test right before a WBC heavyweight title eliminator, has maintained innocence and now it has been revealed that his B drug sample from December 13 has tested negative for banned substances, according to Russian news site TASS.
Andrei Ryabinsky, Povetkin's promoter, said the boxer is clean and that he is now probing the case.
“We have just received the results of Povetkin’s new doping sample taken by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on December 13. He is clean, no doping has been detected,” Ryabinsky said. “Is that what they call honest American sport. We are probing into this case.”
Povetkin was set to meet Bermane Stiverne for the interim WBC heavyweight title on December 17 but the fight was canceled after Povetkin’s A sample proved to be positive of containing Ostarine. According to TASS, Ostarine is a SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator) substance athletes use to build up endurance. The World Anti-Doping Agency put SARM substances on its prohibited items list in 2008. The WBC took away the title stipulation and instead, Povetkin faced off against Johann Duhaupas and Povetkin won via knockout in the sixth round.
The last time Povetkin failed a drug test, it was back in May nine days before he was set to challenge Deontay Wilder for his WBC heavyweight title. He tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
