Deontay Wilder-Alexander Povetkin title bout postponed following Russian's positive meldonium test
Six days before Deontay Wilder and Alexander Povetkin were scheduled to step in the ring, the fight has been called off.
The WBC announced Sunday that the heavyweight title tilt, originally slated for May 21 in Moscow, is now off following Povetkin's positive test for meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug that aids in stamina.
"The World Boxing Council is diligently addressing the positive test result from the Clean Boxing Program for mandatory heavyweight challenger Alexander Povetkin," the statement read. "Keeping the priority of safety and also the principle of justice, the WBC will continue the investigation into the case. Consequently, the event scheduled for May 21 in Moscow is hereby officially postponed.
"The WBC will be releasing more information in the coming days regarding the final ruling on the matter."
The positive test of Povetkin's A sample was revealed on Friday. The sample was collected by VADA on April 27 and showed the substance, which increases blood flow, in the 36-year-old's system. Povetkin can have his B sample tested as well, but hasn't made the request at this time.
Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) won the title in January 2015 with a lopsided decision over Bermane Stiverne and defended it with knockouts against Eric Molina, Johann Duhaupas and Artur Szpilka. The Povetkin assignment figured to be by far the sternest of Wilder's career.
"I'm very disappointed that due to Povetkin's failed drug test the fight is not going to happen on May 21 in Moscow," Wilder said Sunday in a statement. "I had worked very hard to prepare myself for this important title defense, spending the last two weeks training in England to get accustomed to fighting in Europe. I wanted to give the fans a great show, but we understand the WBC's position that the fight occur on an even playing field."
Wilder's promoter, Lou DiBella, said, based upon Povetkin's positive test for meldonium, and with the health and safety of Deontay Wilder the paramount consideration, "this fight could not take place next Saturday. As a result of Povetkin's use of a banned substance and breach of contract, Deontay Wilder was deprived of an opportunity to defend his title as he had prepared to - on an even playing field.
"He and his team have suffered significant damages as a result. Any talk of rescheduling by (promoter) Mr. (Andrey) Ryabinsky at this point is unfounded and premature. Team Wilder will await further communications from the WBC and will weigh all our options given what has transpired."
Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned substance list in January, and since then, over 170 athletes have tested positive, with 40-plus coming from Russia. The drug aids in carrying more oxygen to muscle tissue and would help keep an endurance athlete fresh.
Meldonium enhances an athlete's performance by creating larger red blood cells while also removing byproducts such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
"I have no doubt it's a powerful performance-enhancing drug," BALCO founder and SNAC CEO Victor Conte told Paste BN Sports. "It's a stamina benefit. You don't get tired, you just keep rocking. You'd be like the Energizer Bunny during sparring."
Wilder was in Sheffield, England, training for the fight. The 30-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Ala., is one of the biggest punchers in the sport, and is ranked No. 3 by Boxing Junkie at heavyweight.
He actually accused Povetkin of doping one year ago in an interview with Paste BN's Bob Velin.
"I think he's juicing. He's looking too big," Wilder said last May. "I have people that have trained him and know him, and being from a different country, they have different techniques that they use.
"He's on some kind of steroids. But you know, that's just my opinion. It's not going to affect me when it's time to fight and I'm looking forward (to fighting Povetkin). That's how I feel."
Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) earned the title shot with a first-round knockout of Mike Perez last year. The Olympic gold medalist once held the WBA title, but the 36-year-old lost it to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2013 decision loss, when he was knocked down four times.
Showtime was in talks to televise the card, but was having difficulty completing a deal with Ryabinsky. The card will go on with the cruiserweight title unification fight between Denis Lebedev and Victor Ramirez as the main event.
Now, Povetkin will likely go to the back of the line in the rankings and is in line for a lengthy suspension pending an investigation. And Wilder's lengthy training camp will have gone to waste.
"This is a huge disappointment and a setback to my goals in boxing," Wilder said. "I want to be an active heavyweight champion and it is still my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."
(Photo of Povetkin by Gero Breloer-AP)