Russian heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin suspended, fined for doping

Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin has been suspended indefinitely by the World Boxing Council and fined US$250,000 for doping, the World Boxing Council said.

Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance meldonium last year, just before he was due to face WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in a May 21 title fight in Moscow.

The WBC initially cleared him last August, saying there was insufficient evidence he had used the performance-enhancing drug after it was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency on January 1, 2016.

However, Povetkin again tested positive for a banned substance in December – this time ostarine, an anabolic steroid-like drug.

That, together with the earlier meldonium test, caused the WBC to slap him with an indefinite ban and a hefty fine, in a decision released this week.

The boxer will be allowed to request his suspension be lifted after one year, the WBC said.