Sun Dec 07 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Alimkhanuly Fails Drug Test, Out of Lara Unification Bout

San Antonio, TX – Undefeated middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly has been pulled from his highly anticipated unification fight against Erislandy Lara after testing positive for a banned substance. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed the WBO of the adverse finding, triggering an internal investigation.

The substance in question is reportedly meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016. Meldonium is known to boost endurance. Alimkhanuly, who holds the IBF and WBO titles with a perfect 17-0 record, has requested his ‘B’ sample be tested.

“I have always supported clean sport,” Alimkhanuly stated on X. “I was surprised when I read the news. Vada took the first test and said everything was clean…I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest.”

Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), the event’s promoter, has announced that Venezuela’s Johan Gonzalez will step in to face Lara for the WBA title.

Lara (31-3-3, 18 KOs), a former light middleweight champion, was last in the ring 14 months ago, defeating Danny Garcia. The 42-year-old Cuban-American will now defend his WBA belt against Gonzalez (36-4, 33 KOs), a 34-year-old who last fought in March, defeating Jarrett Hurd. The bout will be on the undercard of the Isaac Cruz v Lamont Roach fight at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

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