Russian heavyweight Alexander banned over failed drug test

Alexander Povetkin’s interim world title title session against Bermane Stiverne in December was cancelled after he tested positive for the banned muscle-builder ostarine.

He tested positive for meldonium before a WBC world title fight against Deontay Wilder last May.

Povetkin, 37, avoided a sanction after the Wilder fight was cancelled as he said he had stopped taking meldonium in 2015, before it became a banned substance.

The ban is only for sessions sanctioned by the World Boxing Council, he has also been fined £205,000.

After failing a second drug test in a year, Alexander Povetkin has been banned indefinitely.