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Sergey Kovalev poses for photographers during a ceremonial arrival for an upcoming boxing match Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, in Las Vegas. Kovalev is scheduled to fight Canelo Alvarez in a WBO light heavyweight title bout Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Sergey Kovalev poses for photographers during a ceremonial arrival for an upcoming boxing match Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, in Las Vegas. Kovalev is scheduled to fight Canelo Alvarez in a WBO light heavyweight title bout Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)John Locher/Associated Press

Sergey Kovalev Reportedly Tests Positive for Synthetic Testosterone for 2nd Time

Joseph Zucker
Jan 24, 2021

A second sample from light heavyweight star Sergey Kovalev was flagged for synthetic testosterone, according to BoxingScene's Dan Rafael.ย ย 

Kovalev was scheduled to fightย Bektemir Melikuziev on Jan. 30 before he tested positive forย external testosterone and metabolites earlier this month. Officials canceled the bout as a result.

Rafael reported the first positive test stemmed from a sample taken on Dec. 30. Kovalev was tested again Jan. 7, and it had the same outcome.

Rafael noted Kovalev can pay to have his B sample retested.

The 37-year-old could now be facing a lengthy suspension, which would carry significant consequences given his age.

Kovalev hasn't fought since his 11th-round knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in November 2019.ย A matchup with Sullivan Barrera wasย scrappedย during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Athletic'sย Mike Coppingerย reported in November that the Russian's deal to fight Alvarez included a pair of DAZN events that would pay out $2.5 million apiece. Lining up the first of those two shows will be tricky in the wake of his positive drug tests.

ELLY HR OUT OF THE PARK ๐Ÿ˜ณ