Sportsamo.com reports that undefeated Kazakh middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly has been stripped of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight championship. This significant development, confirmed by the IBF, stems from a positive drug test that has resulted in a suspension for the fighter. Janibek, who previously held both the IBF and World Boxing Organization (WBO) belts at 160 pounds, will now only possess the WBO title once his suspension concludes.
The ruling by the IBF Championships Committee, spearheaded by chairman George Martinez, was a direct consequence of Janibek’s inability to fulfill his mandatory defense obligations. The organization had slated a mandatory defense for early July, but Janibek’s suspension rendered this timeline impossible to meet. "Alimkhanuly is unable to fulfill his mandatory defense obligation on July 4, 2026," Martinez stated in the official ruling circulated to the IBF board. "Accordingly, the IBF middleweight title should be vacated immediately." This decision marks a significant turning point for the dominant Kazakh southpaw, who had established himself as a formidable force in the middleweight division.
The disciplinary proceedings were initiated following Janibek’s positive test for Meldonium, a substance that led to the cancellation of a highly anticipated unification bout with World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Erislandy Lara late last year. Following the positive test, Kazakhstan’s Professional Boxing Federation imposed a six-month suspension, backdated to December 2nd, the date he was removed from the Lara fight. This penalty was subsequently recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), which set a reinstatement date of June.
However, IBF regulations impose stricter sanctions on fighters under anti-doping suspensions. The federation mandates a full year of ineligibility for IBF-sanctioned fights for any fighter under suspension. This IBF rule effectively extends Janibek’s ban from IBF title contention through December 2, 2026, thereby preventing him from defending his championship within the organization’s mandated schedule. This stricter interpretation by the IBF highlights the organization’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport and its championship lineage.
During the investigation into the positive test, medical records were submitted detailing the circumstances surrounding the presence of Meldonium in Janibek’s system. The records indicated that the substance entered his body during emergency medical treatment in Kazakhstan. Doctors were treating him for severe neurological symptoms, later diagnosed as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly known as a mini-stroke. During this treatment, he was administered Ripronat, a medication containing Meldonium, which is legal within Kazakhstan. This explanation, while providing context, did not absolve Janibek from the consequences of the positive test under IBF rules.
An eight-member disciplinary panel reviewed the evidence and ultimately ruled that the violation involved minimal negligence on Janibek’s part. This finding contributed to the imposition of a reduced suspension period. Despite this mitigating factor, the rigid scheduling and mandatory defense requirements of the IBF proved insurmountable for Janibek to retain his title.
The ruling brings an end to Janibek’s impressive title reign, which commenced in October 2023 when he defeated Vincenzo Gualtieri. That victory not only earned him the IBF belt but also allowed him to unify it with the WBO championship he already held, solidifying his position as the undisputed king of the middleweight division at that time. His dominant performances, characterized by his southpaw stance and concussive power, had made him a feared opponent for any middleweight contender.
The vacancy of the IBF middleweight title now opens the door for new contenders to vie for championship glory. Several fighters are prominently positioned in the IBF rankings and are expected to be considered for a shot at the vacant belt. Among the leading candidates are Italy’s Etinosa Oliha (21-0, 9 KOs) and Britain’s Shakiel Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs). Both fighters boast undefeated records and have been steadily climbing the middleweight ladder, signaling their readiness for a world title opportunity.
However, the immediate path to a title fight for Thompson may face some logistical challenges. He is currently scheduled to face Brad Pauls later this month in Manchester. This commitment could potentially delay or complicate any immediate plans for him to compete for the vacant IBF strap, depending on the timing and negotiation of future bouts. The IBF will need to navigate these potential scheduling conflicts to ensure a fair and timely resolution for the vacant title.
While Janibek Alimkhanuly is now stripped of his IBF championship, his career in boxing is far from over. Once his suspension period expires, he will have a clear pathway to re-enter the IBF rankings and potentially reclaim his lost title. However, this current ruling unequivocally removes him from the sanctioning body’s championship picture for the remainder of the year. The middleweight division, once unified under Janibek’s reign, now finds itself with one less undisputed champion and a coveted vacant belt awaiting a new claimant. The landscape of the middleweight division is set to be reshaped as fighters like Oliha and Thompson look to seize this opportunity and etch their names into boxing history.
Tom Galm is a seasoned boxing journalist with extensive experience covering the sport since 2014. His expertise lies in in-depth analysis of the heavyweight division, tracking industry trends, and understanding the psychological intricacies of professional fighters.
