Boxing’s oldest world champion gets late-notice opponent after unification bout called off with failed drugs test

Erislandy Lara will now defend his WBA middleweight title against short-notice replacement Johan Gonzalez.

Lara was set to face WBO and IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in a huge unification clash at 160lbs in San Antonio.

Rey Del Rio/PBC

Boxing’s pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford could have awaited the winner, with the American declaring he was interested in a showdown in 2026.

But it was cancelled this week after Alimkhanuly failed a pre-fight drugs test.

The Kazakh leading rated middleweight tested positive for traces of performance-enhancing drug Meldonium after a VADA conducted test.

And as a result, he will no longer be able to step into the ring this weekend while a full investigation is conducted.

Lara will now hope he can retain his title against Gonzalez, a 36-4 contender who is coming away from his prime years at the age of 34.

The KO artist impressively stopped Jarrett Hurd in his last outing, a former conqueror of Lara.

So he will hope to spring an upset and wipe out the sport’s oldest active title-holder who is now 42-years-old.

What has Janibek Alimkhanuly said about the failed drugs test?

Alimkhanuly, who is considered by most of the boxing public an avoided champion, has firmly denied the allegations.

And he released a statement after the news of the adverse finding was announced by VADA.

He said: “I have always supported clean sport you know this well. I was surprised when I read the news.

Getty

“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.”

Could Terence Crawford take on Lara instead?

Crawford has suggested he sees himself launching a bid for an unprecedented world title in a sixth weight class at 160lbs.

He suggested he had a close eye on the clash between Alimkhanuly and Lara, but the plan has been scuppered for now.

Lara currently holds one world title in the WBA strap, and would be a huge underdog if he is to take on Crawford.

But ‘Bud’ may not be as motivated to fight for one belt, and could wait until the belts are more unified to make his move.

Getty

Nonetheless, the American will likely have a keen eye on proceedings and if the bout can later be rescheduled.