It has emerged that retired heavyweight Alexander Povetkin is currently serving a four-year ‘period of ineligibility’ following an investigation which uncovered the previously unreported presence of banned substance ostarine in a sample provided by the Russian in 2014.  

The case, which is part of a broader probe into systematic doping in Russian sports, is being led by the International Testing Agency (ITA) for the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the evidence retrieved from the Moscow Laboratory by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Intelligence Investigations Department and Professor Richard McLaren.

Povetkin, 45 and retired since 2021, had previously served a one-year suspension in 2016 following the detection of ostarine and meldonium but he returned to enjoy the most lucrative period of his career by securing contests against Anthony Joshua, David Price, Michael Hunter and Dillian Whyte. 

“After being notified of the case and informed of his procedural rights, the athlete decided not to challenge the anti-doping rule violation,” the ITA stated. Povetkin’s ban came into effect on October 21 2024 and will be in force until October 20 2028.

“In addition, the athlete’s results from October 25 2014 until the start of the athlete’s provisional suspension on October 21 2024 have been disqualified, including the results obtained during a boxing match held on the night of October 24/25 2014.”

That particular boxing match saw Povetkin knock out Carlos Takam in 10 rounds in Moscow. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator, commonly used to enhance performance and muscle growth.

Upon retiring in 2021 Povetkin, who now serves as Deputy Governer of the Vologda Oblast region, said: “The years take their toll… I have all kinds of injuries that still need to be treated. The time has come for me to end my career.”

His record reads 36-3-1 (25 KOs) but all his accomplishments, which include winning Olympic gold in 2004 and a secondary WBA strap, are likely now forever tainted.

Read the full article here