Sergey Kovalev tests positive for banned substance. The fight against Melikuziev is likely to get cancelled

Sergey Kovalev’s upcoming bout against Bektemir Melikuziev has been called off, after the Russian returned a positive result following a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test. There are now huge questions that could be hanging over the three-time world champion, as the failed result could effectively end the Russian’s career.

The upcoming fight against Melikuziev was set to take place at the end of the month, but there could still be positive news. That would ultimately depend on the outcome of the B-sample that was taken at the same time as the failed sample.

Despite the failed result, Kovalev maintains that he hasn’t broken any doping rules and believes that he is still innocent. The Russian will be nervously awaiting the result of the B-sample, which could come back in a matter of days. There had been high hopes of seeing the Russian back in action, as he hasn’t fought since a 2019 defeat against Saul Alvarez.