WBC still deciding Povetkin’s case

By Boxing News - 07/06/2016 - Comments

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By Patrick McHugh: The World Boxing Council sent out a press release on Tuesday, saying that their committee still hasn’t decided the case of #1 WBC heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin yet. The WBC plans on continuing their investigation.

They’ve offered WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to come meet with them this month so that he can have his own medical and scientific team discuss the case.

The Russian fighter tested positive for a banned substance Meldonium several months ago. The WBC is still trying to figure out what they’re going to do with him. The WBC says they met with Povetkin on June 28 last month, as well his medical and scientific team in Mexico City.

It’s unknown how much longer the WBC will need before they make their final decision. They’ve given Wilder an extra optional title defense, which he’s taking this month against Chris Arreola on July 16 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. As of now, Povetkin is still Wilder’s mandatory challenger.

The WBC will need to make a decision whether to let Povetkin go forward for his mandated title shot against Wilder or not. If the WBC needs more time in the future to decide, then they might need to consider giving Wilder another optional title defense if it’s going to take longer.

Wilder will make good money fighting Povetkin. It would be his biggest payday of his career by far if he went ahead and took that fight rather than continuing to face fringe contenders.
Here’s the press release sent out by the WBC:

YouTube video

June 14, 2016, the WBC assembled and convened an Emergency Review Committee that included scientific, medical and legal advisors. The Committee reviewed and discussed the information available concerning heavyweight Alexander Povetkin`s positive test result for the banned substance Meldonium.

On June 28, 2016, Povetkin and his medical and scientific team met with the WBC in Mexico City and presented their position as part of the WBC investigative process in this matter.
The WBC has offered champion Deontay Wilder and his team an opportunity to present their own medical and scientific information and a meeting has been confirmed to take place by mid-July.

In the meantime, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released an updated informational notice concerning Meldonium, which the WBC and the WBC Committee will thoroughly review while continuing with the process outlined by the Clean Boxing Program.
The WBC will continue its process and inquiry and will provide additional information in the very near future.