Report: Kovalev fails drug test, fight with Melikuziev likely canceled
Sergey Kovalev tested positive for synthetic testosterone, according to boxing insider Dan Rafael.
His headlining fight Jan. 30 against Bektemir Melikuziev will likely be canceled as a result.
Here is the VADA letter pertaining to Kovalev's positive test. #boxing pic.twitter.com/No5C8ffyQS
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) January 14, 2021
The 37-year-old Kovalev was preparing to return from a 14-month layoff dating back to an 11th-round knockout at the hands of Canelo Alvarez in November 2019.
"Krusher" is 34-4-1 in his career, with 29 of those victories coming via knockout.
The 24-year-old Melikuziev, known as "Bek Bully," is undefeated at 6-0 with five KOs.
The bout between Kovalev and Melikuziev was originally scheduled to take place in Moscow. However, DAZN announced in December that the fight would be moved to Indio, California.