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WBO suspends middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly

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Image: WBO suspends Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for one year after failed drug test

Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s middleweight reign was interrupted by a doping suspension that excluded him from competition and forced the WBO to rebuild his image as a champion. The WBO confirmed on Friday that it had suspended Alimkhanuly for a year after he tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance, in November 2025.

WBO President Gustavo Olivieri stated that the organization’s World Championships Committee unanimously approved the suspension with retroactive effect to December 2, 2025. This date coincides with the cancellation of the planned unification fight between Alimkhanuly and Erislandy Lara, which was supposed to clarify the championship situation in the division.


The positive test result was confirmed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, which oversees drug testing at many of boxing’s top events. Meldonium is banned under anti-doping rules and has resulted in suspensions from many combat sports.

The suspension prevents Alimkhanuly from participating in any boxing or exhibition fights during his penalty period. As a result, the WBO decided to remain dynamic in the division by ordering an interim title fight between its top contenders. Denzel Bentley, ranked No. 1 in the WBO rankings, will face second-ranked Endry Saavedra for the organization’s interim middleweight title.

The WBO also confirmed that Alimkhanuly will face the interim champion immediately after his suspension expires in December 2026. He will not be able to fight again before that without risking further punishment under WBO rules.

Alimkhanuly had built himself up as one of the division’s dominant champions before his suspension.

His planned unification fight with Lara would put him in the ring with another titleholder and clarify who controls the division.

Instead, the failed test and subsequent suspension interrupted his title fight and opened the way for other contenders to take position while he remains inactive.

The suspension immediately changes the direction of the middleweight division. With the champion sidelined and the interim title currently in play, the division’s championship picture will continue to develop without Alimkhanuly until his playing eligibility is restored in overdue 2026.

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Last update: 20/02/2026

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Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

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Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

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Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker’s summer fight plan

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Image: Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker summer fight plan

Ben Whittaker’s next few months are already taking shape following his quick knockout victory in Liverpool, and Adam Smith outlines a busy summer schedule that should finally see the delicate heavyweight fighter face stronger tests

Smith said Whittaker is expected to return to the United States in overdue June on the Jaron “Boots” Ennis card, then return to the UK in the summer for a major date in his hometown of Birmingham.


Whittaker stopped Brian Suarez in two rounds last weekend and performed brilliantly throughout, adding another early finish to the stretch that helped rebuild attention around him after his first fight with Liam Cameron ended in a draw.

Smith said the June outing would support expose Whittaker to a wider audience ahead of a bigger national night later in the year.

“He will fight at the end of June in America at the Boots Ennis gala. That’s good. Show him to a global audience. Then he will come back here in overdue summer, maybe early September and fight in Birmingham in a huge fight,” Adam Smith said in an interview with Sport Boxing.

Smith also named British opponents who could be next, naming Lyndon Arthur, Brad Rea and Craig Richards as possible options once Whittaker returns home.

Smith believes that in the long term, bigger domestic fights with Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yard should come within the next year if Whittaker continues to win.

“Buatsis and Yards need to be delivered within the next 6-12 months.”

Whittaker has had a lot of notoriety since turning pro, but the activity and matchmaking are looking more grave now. The next two fights should tell more than the first ten.

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Last updated: 24/04/2026 at 17:38

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