Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s middleweight title reign was halted by a doping suspension, which removed him from competition and forced the WBO to restructure its championship picture. The WBO confirmed on Friday that it had suspended Alimkhanuly for one year after testing positive 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 coincides with the cancellation of Alimkhanuly’s planned unification fight against Erislandy Lara, which was expected to clear up the championship situation in the division.
The positive test was confirmed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, which oversees drug testing for many of boxing’s major events. Meldonium is banned under the anti-doping rules and has led to suspensions across several combat sports.
The suspension prevents Alimkhanuly from participating in any boxing or exhibition fights during the suspension period. As a result, the WBO moved to maintain activity within the division by ordering an interim title fight between its top contenders. Denzel Bentley, number 1 by the WBO, will face Andry Saavedra, number 2, for the interim middleweight championship with that organization.
The WBO also confirmed that Alimkhanuly will be expected to face the interim champion immediately after the expiry of his suspension in December 2026. He will not be allowed to fight again beforehand without risking further penalties under WBO regulations.
Alimkhanuly built his position as one of the division’s dominant champions before the suspension.
His planned unification bout with Lara would have put him in the ring with another title holder and clarified who controlled the division.
Instead, the failed test and resulting suspension interrupted his title run and opened a path for other contenders to claim position while he remains inactive.
The suspension immediately changes the direction of the middleweight division. With the champion sidelined and an interim title now up for grabs, the division’s championship picture will move forward without Alimkhanuly until his eligibility is restored at the end of 2026.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter
Related Boxing News:
Last updated on 20/02/2026
