WBO suspends Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for one year after failed drug test

Boxing News

by Tom Galm

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has suspended Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, the middleweight champion, for one year following a failed drug test. This suspension marks a significant blow to Alimkhanuly's career as it strips him of his title and halts his reign at 168 pounds. The WBO's decision comes after rigorous testing procedures, which identified the presence of banned substances in the Kazakhstani boxer’s system. This development has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, raising questions about doping practices and their impact on athletes' careers. Alimkhanuly had been a rising star in the sport, capturing the WBO title last year with a dominant performance against Carlos Cuellar. His suspension not only ends his current reign but also delays any potential unification fights he was set to participate in, including a highly anticipated bout for the WBA and IBF titles. The timing of this suspension is particularly significant, as Alimkhanuly was poised to make a major statement in the super-middleweight division. The incident highlights the growing scrutiny placed on anti-doping efforts within professional boxing. While the sport has made strides in enforcing stricter testing protocols, cases like Alimkhanuly's underscore the challenges of maintaining integrity in competitive athletics. The suspension serves as a reminder that doping not only affects individual athletes but also impacts the credibility and fairness of the entire sport. For fans of boxing, this news is crucial as it touches on issues of trust and transparency in athletic competitions. The one-year ban imposed by the WBO reflects a commitment to upholding standards of fair play, even when it means penalizing a seemingly successful athlete. Alimkhanuly's case will likely spark broader conversations about the consequences of doping and the measures taken to prevent it. Ultimately, this suspension serves as a cautionary tale for athletes and organizations alike. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations and the potential fallout when these rules are violated. As boxing

Verticals

sportsboxing

Originally published on Boxing News on 2/20/2026