World boxing champion stripped of IBF title and suspended over doping violation

He has been relieved of his IBF world title.

A world champion boxer has been stripped of his IBF middleweight title following a doping violation.

Janibek Alimkhanuly has been stripped of his IBF middleweight world title after delivering an adverse analytical finding for a performance-enhancing drug following a VADA test.

On Tuesday, the IBF ruled that Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly would be relieved of his championship status, citing IBF rule 18.

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IBF championships committee chairman George Martinez said: “Alimkhanuly is due to make a Mandatory defence of his IBF Middleweight title on or before July 4, 2026. The IBF must notify Zhanibek Alimkhanuly of his Mandatory defense on or around May 4, 2026.

“The penalties imposed by Rule 18. prohibit Alimkhanuly from being ranked by the IBF or ‘participat[ing] in any IBF sanctioned bout’ [emphasis added] for one (1) year following his suspension for an anti-doping violation.

“Alimkhanuly’s suspension by the KPBF is effective as of December 2, 2025, and the resulting one-year period of ineligibility therefore expires on December 2, 2026. Accordingly, Alimkhanuly is unable to fulfil his Mandatory defense obligation on July 4, 2026.

“On March 5, 2026, the IBF Board of Directors participated in a teleconference to discuss this matter. A majority of the Directors determined that, in light of the foregoing, the IBF Middleweight title should be vacated immediately.”

Janibek Alimkhanuly in action against Rob Brant. Image: Getty

Alimkhanuly was issued a backdated six-month suspension by the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation (KPBF) that will run through June 2. The nation’s local commission took control of the investigation given he last fought on home soil.

The date is six months from December 2 when he was pulled from a planned unification showdown against WBA title holder Erislandy Lara after testing positive for Meldonium.

Alimkhanuly, however, is still the WBO holder as a separate ruling left him unable to participate in the sanctioning body’s bouts for a minimum of one year.

The WBO suspension, however, only applies to their title fights and eliminators as sanctioning bodies do not have the authority to suspend a boxer beyond its own jurisdiction.

Alimkhanuly’s team plans to file an appeal, according to Kazakhstan professional boxing federation president Rakhimzhan Yerdenbekov, who said the star fighter is suspended until December 2, 2026.

The 32-year-old, who is unbeaten in 17 professional bouts, hasn’t fought since his fifth-round TKO victory over Anauel Ngamissengue in April 2025.

IBF make decision on stripping Jai Opetaia after Zuffa Boxing debut

The Australian cruiserweight is set to face Brandon Glanton on Sunday.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has made a decision on sanctioning Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton’s cruiserweight bout, with the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title already confirmed to be on the line.

On Sunday (8 March), Sydney’s Opetaia will take on Atlanta’s Glanton at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 30-year-old Australian will defend his Ring Magazine cruiserweight title in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 04.

Of course, Zuffa is backed by UFC president Dana White as well as Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, with the promotion disrupting the boxing world since its introduction to the sport.

Conor Benn signed with Zuffa Boxing last month (Credit:Getty)

In February, British fighter Conor Benn penned a shock deal with Zuffa, with Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn accusing the boxer of blindsiding him after his decade-long association with the Essex-based promotion.