In a shocking turn of events, Janibek Alimkhanuly’s reign as WBO middleweight champion has been abruptly halted, leaving the boxing world in turmoil. But here’s where it gets controversial: while he hasn’t been stripped of his unified title entirely, he’s barred from defending at least one of his belts for most of 2026. Why? A positive drug test for meldonium has thrown his career into chaos, sparking debates about fairness and consequences in the sport.
The WBO’s decision, retroactive to December 2, 2025, means Alimkhanuly cannot participate in any WBO-sanctioned bouts for a year. This ruling came after he was pulled from a highly anticipated three-belt unification fight against WBA champion Erislandy Lara. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed, “The suspension is effective immediately, with full details to be released soon.” This leaves fans and critics alike wondering: Is this punishment justified, or does it go too far?
And this is the part most people miss: While the WBO has acted swiftly, the IBF—which Alimkhanuly also holds a title with—has yet to rule on his status. This dual-title dynamic adds another layer of complexity. Meanwhile, the WBO interim 160-pound title is now up for grabs in a bout between Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra, originally just an eliminator. The winner will face Alimkhanuly upon his return, assuming he’s cleared to fight again.
Alimkhanuly’s last fight was in April 2023, a title defense in his hometown of Astana, Kazakhstan. Since then, his career has been in limbo as he fights to clear his name. The positive test came from a November 2025 sample collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), leaving the undefeated 32-year-old southpaw (17-0, 12 KOs) in a precarious position. Here’s the kicker: While sanctioning bodies can restrict title fights, only a presiding commission can issue a full suspension. Alimkhanuly remains under indefinite suspension by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), but his recent fight under the Kazakhstan Federation of Professional Boxing has complicated the investigation.
Lara, meanwhile, moved on to face Johan Gonzalez in a lopsided unanimous decision win. But the bigger question lingers: What does this mean for Alimkhanuly’s legacy? He first claimed the WBO interim title in May 2022, upgraded to full champion later that year, and successfully defended it five times—three of those with the IBF belt at stake. His knockout of Vincenzo Gualtieri in October 2023 cemented his status as a dominant force in the division. Now, his future hangs in the balance.
Controversial question to ponder: Should a single positive test derail a champion’s career, or does Alimkhanuly deserve a second chance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. One thing’s for sure—this saga is far from over.
