Janibek Alimkhanuly has examined constructive for a banned substance earlier than his scheduled middleweight unification bout towards Erislandy Lara on Saturday.

The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) says it has been knowledgeable of the Kazakh fighter’s failed check by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Affiliation (Vada) and an inner investigation is beneath manner.

Alimkhanuly, who holds the IBF and WBO titles, has been pulled from the bout towards WBA champion Lara and changed by Venezuela’s Johan Gonzalez, in keeping with American media.

It has been reported the banned substance is meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug which might increase an athlete’s endurance. It has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Company (Wada) since 2016.

Alimkhanuly’s ‘A’ pattern returned an hostile analytical discovering, and the fighter has requested {that a} second ‘B’ pattern be examined.

Writing on X, Alimkhanuly stated he was “shocked” at Vada’s findings.

“I’ve at all times supported clear sport, you recognize this nicely. I used to be shocked after I learn the information,” stated Alimkhanuly., exterior

“Vada took the primary check and stated every thing was clear. I’ve not made any adjustments to my nutritional vitamins. I do not know what occurred with the second check, so I requested a retest.”

Alimkhanuly final fought on 5 April when he retained his WBO and IBF belts towards Anauel Ngamissengue through a fifth-round stoppage.

The 32-year-old has received all 17 of his skilled bouts since making his debut in 2016.

Cuban-American Lara final fought 14 months in the past when he stopped Danny Garcia within the ninth spherical to retain his WBA title.

The 42-year-old, who’s a former champion at mild middleweight, has received 31 of 37 fights since debuting in 2008.

Gonzalez, 34, has received 36 of his 40 bouts and final competed in March when he defeated Jarrett Hurd by cut up resolution.