Bold truth: a title fight was toppled by a positive drug test, reshaping the boxing landscape in real time. Here’s a clear, reader-friendly rewrite that preserves every key detail and adds a touch more context for newcomers.
Unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly has tested positive for a banned substance and has been pulled from Saturday’s scheduled unification bout with WBA champ Erislandy Lara. Lara will now defend his title against Johan Gonzalez, as Premier Boxing Champions announced on Tuesday.
Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) returned a positive result for the banned substance meldonium in a test conducted on November 15 by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). In response to the news, the undefeated champion took to X (Twitter) to express his stance, maintaining his innocence.
"I have always supported clean sport, you know this well," Alimkhanuly wrote. "I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest."
Alimkhanuly and Lara were slated to meet as the co-main event on a prominent Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Pay-Per-View card headlined by Lamont Roach Jr.’s clash with Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event was part of a loaded Prime Video offering.
In February, Alimkhanuly’s most recent ring appearance saw him defend his WBO and IBF belts against Anauel Ngamissengue, a victory that solidified his status atop the division.
With Alimkhanuly out, Johan Gonzalez—who now steps into the spotlight with a 36-4 record and 34 KOs—will oppose Lara. Gonzalez’s last action came in March, when he earned a split-decision win over Jarrett Hurd, a result that prompted Hurd’s retirement.
This development places Lara—at 42 years old as the oldest active champion in boxing—in a high-stakes position against a challenger with a significant step up in competition. Lara has not fought since September 2024, when he retained the title by stopping Danny Garcia.
Discussion prompts: How should the sport handle doping positives in high-profile title fights? Does a retest outcome alter your view of the sanction, the promotion, or the fight lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments about how this shift affects the credibility of title fights and the careers of the boxers involved.
