By Jim Maltzman: Sergey Kovalev has reportedly tested positive for synthetic testosterone ahead of his January 30th headliner fight against Bektemir ‘Bully’ Melikuziev on DAZN.
Dan Rafael broke the news of the former IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Kovalev’s positive test for synthetic testosterone, having gotten a VADA letter about the Russian fighter’s test results.
This means Kovalev’s main event fight against the unbeaten ‘Bully’ Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) is likely off.
Kovalev’s B-sample of his test will be examined to see if that clears him, and well, see if that happens. If not, the fight will be canceled.
On Wednesday, it was learned that ‘The Krusher’ Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) vs. Melikuziev fight had been moved from Moscow, Russia to Indio, California for January 30th.
That was a positive for the U.S fans, who be able to watch the match during an ideal time.
BREAKING: Sergey Kovalev has tested positive for synthetic testosterone. I have obtained the VADA letter outlining the details of positive test. Means his Jan. 30 DAZN headliner with Bektemir “Bek Bully” Melikuziev likely will be canceled. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) January 14, 2021
If the dirty test for Kovalev is confirmed, it’s going to be a brutal blow to his sagging career. He’s lost four out of his last eight fights since 2016, and he was trying to come back from his massively disappointing 11th round knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in November 2019.
If Kovalev’s B-sample tests positive as well for synthetic testosterone, he’ll likely face a suspension. Depending on how long that will be, he could be out of the ring for a while.
It’s already been 14 months since Kovalev last fought. If he’s given six to twelve months suspension, he’ll be ring rusty when does return to the ring at some point.
Will DAZN or one of the other networks be willing to show Kovalev’s next fight if he’s coming off a suspension?
Going up against a dangerous puncher in Bektemir “Bek Bully” Melikuziev, Kovalev was really up against it in this fight. But the upside would be huge for Sergy if he were able to beat the undefeated 24-year-old Melikuziev.
Another knockout loss for Kovalev would surely be the end of his illustrious career, which began in 2009.
Kovalev will be turning 38 on April 2nd, and he’s not a young 38. He shows his age and more so, and it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to return to the form that he once had during the best years of his career from 2013 to 2015.
Five years ago, Kovalev was viewed by many boxing fans as the #1 fighter in the 175-lb division, and there was a great deal of interest in seeing him and former WBC champion Adonis Stevenson fight.
Unfortunately, Kovalev never took the fight with Adonis, and it was a missed opportunity. In hindsight, it was probably a good thing that Kovalev didn’t face Stevenson, as he likely would have been beaten by him.