Sources: Janibek Positive Test Confirmed by B Sample
- Matthew Brown
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
01/21/2026
Sources tell Brunch Boxing that the positive drug test for WBO and IBF Super Middleweight Champion Janibek Alimkhanuly has been confirmed following the analysis of the B sample.
Alimkhanuly initially tested positive for the banned substance meldonium in the lead-up to his December 6 unification bout with WBA Middleweight Champion Erislandy Lara. The fight was scheduled to co-headline a PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view event from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Following the adverse finding, Alimkhanuly was pulled from the contest and replaced by Johan Gonzalez.
The sample in question was collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on November 15 in California.
At the time the news first broke, Alimkhanuly firmly denied any wrongdoing and requested further testing, maintaining that he has always competed clean.
“I have always supported clean sport you know this well,” Alimkhanuly said in a statement. “I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean. I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest.”
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) issued a show-cause notice to Alimkhanuly, requiring him to demonstrate why he should not be found in violation of anti-doping regulations. If found guilty, Alimkhanuly faces the possibility of being stripped of his titles.
Meldonium, the substance detected in the test, has been prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016 and is not legally available in the United States.
In response to the growing scrutiny, Rakhimzhan Erdenbekov, president of the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation, released a statement addressing the federation’s own handling of the matter in Alimkhanuly’s home country:
“In light of the discussion in the public space of the positive results of doping tests and the hearings in the case of professional boxer Zhanibek Alimkhanula, I believe it is necessary to provide an explanation.
The first hearing was held by the disciplinary commission of the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation, whose purpose was the preliminary assessment of materials and procedures, rather than drawing hasty conclusions.
Already at this stage it became clear that the case cannot be considered formally and requires additional medical, expert and legal evaluation. Therefore, the decision has been made to reschedule a hearing on January 23 – this is standard international practice in complex doping cases.
I emphasize: the positive result of a doping test does not by itself prove the intention or significant fault of the athlete. The Commission considers the case into account the principle of No Significant Fault or Negligence, recognized by international sports law.
Until all procedures are completed, the commission refrains from conclusions. All decisions will be made solely on the basis of facts, in compliance with the principles of justice and international standards.”
It should be noted that Alimkhanuly’s positive test occurred in the United States, and the canceled bout with Lara fell under the jurisdiction of the Texas Combative Sports Program. As a result, any proceedings conducted by the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation will have no bearing on the case in the U.S. or on decisions made by the relevant sanctioning bodies.
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