Boxing
Sergey Kovalev-Bektemir Melikuziev card canceled after positive drug test result
The card set to be headlined by Sergey Kovalev vs. Bektemir Melikuziev on Jan. 30 has been cancelled by the California State Athletic Commission after Kovalev tested positive for a banned substance.
"The Kovalev vs. Melikuziev boxing event scheduled for Jan. 30 has been cancelled following a positive test for a banned substance on behalf of Sergey Kovalev through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA)," Golden Boy Promotions said in a press release.
"Upon learning of Kovalev’s adverse finding, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) determined that they must cancel the event. While we are crushed for “The Bully” (Melikuziev), we know that he will nevertheless have a tremendous year in 2021. We look forward to our next scheduled boxing event on Feb. 13."
Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) was looking to rebound from an 11th-round knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in November 2019.
Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs), meanwhile, had a highly decorated amateur career. The devastating puncher from Uzbekistan captured the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, a silver medal at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships, and won gold medals at the 2015 and 2017 Asian Championships.
