World Champion STRIPPED of IBF Title After Failed PED Test

Earlier in the week, reports began circulating that IBF and WBO World Champion Janibek Alimkhanuly had been stripped of his IBF belt after he failed a drugs test back in November.

The news has recently been confirmed by The Ring, who state that the IBF officially made the title vacant on Tuesday after writing a letter to Alimkhanuly’s team. Additionally, he has also been suspended by the IBF for a year, meaning he won’t be able to take part in an IBF-sanctioned bout until December 3, 2026.

He was due to defend his titles in a unification bout against WBA Middleweight Champion Erislandy Lara, but this was ultimately cancelled four days before the fight was due to take place.

Both Alimkhanuly’s A and B drug test samples came back with a positive reading. He had been found with meldonium in his system – as per PubMed Central, meldonium can ‘significantly improve aerobic endurance, cardiac function, and capacity as well as shorten recovery times’.

On his official Instagram page, President of the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation, Rakhimzhan Yerdenbekov, wrote: “As President of the Federation, I believe this situation has taught Zhanibek’s team a major lesson.

“However, he will return to the big ring this year even stronger and will ultimately win all four world titles in the near future. Zhanibek’s team, in turn, will file an appeal in this case.”

Who could fight for the vacant IBF Middleweight Title?

Following Alimkhanuly’s suspension, the IBF have removed their Middleweight rankigs from their website – it’s unclear who will be next in line to have a pop at the gold.

Additionally, Middleweight is one of the weaker divisions in the sport at the moment. Two of the biggest names in currently the weight class, Conor Benn and Callum Walsh, are tied up with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

As Zuffa’s war with the alphabet bodies continues, including the IBF, it’s unlikely that either of these two will be afforded a shot.

Aaron McKenna could be amongst those in line for a vacant world title fight, after he stopped Liam Smith last year – additionally, there are plenty of names in the Super-Welterweight division who may wish to move up and have a tilt at the title.

Fighters such as Vergil Ortiz Jr, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Zander Xayas are all in the 154lb division – it remains to be seen if they wish to take the step up.

Where does Janibek Alimkhanuly go from here?

While Alimkhanuly has lost his IBF World Title, he hasn’t been stripped of his WBO belt at the time of writing. There has been indication as to whether he will be stripped or not – if he avoids punishment, he can continue to defend his championship.

He won’t be able to fight in the USA until June 1, however, due to a suspension from the Association of Boxing Commissions – furthermore, he has also ben suspended by the Kazakhstan Federation of Professional Boxing until May 31.

By the time he fights again, Alimkhanuly will have spent over a year out of the ring – he has not fought since he won his WBO Middleweight Title against Anauel Ngamissengue back in April of 2025.