05-14-2016, 08:43 AM
Following up that tweet is this from the promoter...
Promoter Andrei Ryabinsky tells Russia's state Tass news agency that Povetkin tested positive for meldonium, the same substance found in Maria Sharapova's sample at the Australian Open.
Ryabinsky says Povetkin took meldonium last year but stopped before it was banned on Jan. 1, and only "leftover traces of meldonium at a very low concentration" were found in a blood sample given by Povetkin last month.
Athletes in several sports have avoided suspensions for meldonium positives under new World Anti-Doping Agency guidance issued in April if the concentration of the banned heart drug is low enough to indicate they did not take it after Jan. 1.
Povetkin and Wilder are due to fight next week in Moscow.
Promoter Andrei Ryabinsky tells Russia's state Tass news agency that Povetkin tested positive for meldonium, the same substance found in Maria Sharapova's sample at the Australian Open.
Ryabinsky says Povetkin took meldonium last year but stopped before it was banned on Jan. 1, and only "leftover traces of meldonium at a very low concentration" were found in a blood sample given by Povetkin last month.
Athletes in several sports have avoided suspensions for meldonium positives under new World Anti-Doping Agency guidance issued in April if the concentration of the banned heart drug is low enough to indicate they did not take it after Jan. 1.
Povetkin and Wilder are due to fight next week in Moscow.