IBF Strips Title From Janibek Alimkhanuly for Multiple Violations
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has stripped Janibek Alimkhanuly of his middleweight title. The decision was made on Tuesday due to several violations, including a positive result in a banned substances test and the inability to fulfill his mandatory title defense obligation. Alimkhanuly still retains the WBO title.
Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs), from Kazakhstan, was pulled from a middleweight unification fight against WBA champion Erislandy Lara four days before they were to face each other in December. The reason was a positive test for the banned substance meldonium.
Both samples A and B were sent to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association and tested positive for the substance, which aids endurance and shortens recovery time during training.
At the end of February, the OMB decided to suspend Alimkhanuly for a year, but allowed him to keep the title. However, due to his inability to defend the IBF title due to his suspension, the IBF has decided to strip him of the title.
Alimkhanuly, 32, has also been suspended until May 31 by the Professional Boxing Federation of Kazakhstan and until June 1 by the Association of Boxing Commissions of the United States. Three of his fights were held in Kazakhstan and 13 in the United States.
