WBO suspends Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for one year after failed drug test

Interim title ordered as middleweight champion sidelined

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s middleweight title reign has been halted by a doping suspension, removing him from competition and forcing the WBO to restructure its championship picture. The WBO confirmed Friday that it has suspended Alimkhanuly for one year following a positive test for meldonium, a banned substance, in November 2025.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri stated that the organization’s World Championship Committee unanimously approved the suspension, which is retroactive to December 2, 2025. That date corresponds with the cancellation of Alimkhanuly’s planned unification fight against Erislandy Lara.

The positive test was confirmed through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, which oversees drug testing for many of boxing’s major events. Meldonium is prohibited under anti-doping rules and has resulted in suspensions across multiple combat sports.

The suspension prevents Alimkhanuly from participating in any boxing or exhibition bouts during the penalty period. As a result, the WBO has moved to preserve activity within the division by ordering an interim title fight between its top-ranked contenders. Denzel Bentley, ranked #1 by the WBO, will face #2-ranked Endry Saavedra for the interim middleweight championship with that organization.

The WBO also confirmed that Alimkhanuly will be required to face the interim champion immediately upon the expiration of his suspension in December 2026. He will not be permitted to take another fight beforehand without risking further penalties under WBO regulations.

Alimkhanuly had built his position as one of the division’s dominant champions prior to the suspension.

His planned unification fight with Lara would have put him in the ring with another titleholder and clarified who controlled the division.

Instead, the failed test and resulting suspension have interrupted his title run and opened a path for other contenders to claim position while he remains inactive.

The suspension immediately alters the direction of the middleweight division. With the champion sidelined and an interim title now in play, the division’s championship picture will move forward without Alimkhanuly until his eligibility is restored at the end of 2026.