Sergey Kovalev’s upcoming bout against Bektemir Melikuziev has been called off, after the Russian returned a positive result following a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test. There are now huge questions that could be hanging over the three-time world champion, as the failed result could effectively end the Russian’s career.
The upcoming fight against Melikuziev was set to take place at the end of the month, but there could still be positive news. That would ultimately depend on the outcome of the B-sample that was taken at the same time as the failed sample.
Boxing News: Kovalev Maintains Innocence
Despite the failed result, Kovalev maintains that he hasn’t broken any doping rules and believes that he is still innocent. The Russian will be nervously awaiting the result of the B-sample, which could come back in a matter of days. There had been high hopes of seeing the Russian back in action, as he hasn’t fought since a 2019 defeat against Saul Alvarez.
Kovalev was knocked out in the eleventh round of that contest as he lost the WBO light heavyweight title. That ended a run of two successful victories in a row for the Russian, as he did claim wins against Eleider Alvarez and Anthony Yarde. That win against Alvarez was a huge success, as he managed to win back the WBO light heavyweight title just six months after losing the belt.
Boxing News: Scheduled Fight Saw Kovalev Take On Undefeated Challenger
The expected fight that was due to take place was going to see Kovalev come up against an up and coming new challenger. Melikuziev has been dominant throughout his career, as he has won all six professional fights that he has been involved in. All six of his wins have come in the space of just under two years. He made his professional debut in June 2019 against Martin Fidel Rios, as he won by first round knockout.
The same result also came in his second fight against Ricardo Adrian Luna Flores. One of his most difficult fights to date came against Clay Collard in November 2019, but he still won by TKO in the fourth round. His two most recent fights have both come against Mexican fighters, as he first beat Oscar Cortes in a first round knockout, before knocking out Alan Campa in a third round knockout success in October of last year.
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