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The fight between Sergey Kovalev and Bektemir Melikuziev – scheduled for Jan. 30 in Indio, Calif. – has been canceled after Kovalev tested positive for a banned synthetic testosterone.
Additionally, I don’t see value in Yarde’s odds of +195 to pull off what I believe is a little beyond him. I see Sergey Kovalev winning this bout in front of a home crowd by stoppage and Anthony Yarde learning a valuable lesson in the process. Kovalev was floored in the first fight and the odds suggest the sequel will also end in a KO. Who do the odds favor and which bets provide the best value? Eleider Alvarez defends his WBO Light Heavyweight title against Sergey Kovalev in a rematch that is likely to entertain.
The announcement was made in a news release from Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Melikuziev.
Light Heavyweight Sergey Kovalev
The release read: “The Kovalev vs. Melikuziev boxing event scheduled for Jan. 30 has been canceled following a positive test for a banned substance on behalf of Sergey Kovalev through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
“Upon learning of Kovalev’s adverse finding, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) determined that they must cancel the event.“While we are crushed for “The Bully” (Melikuziev), we know that he will nevertheless have a tremendous year in 2021. We look forward to our next scheduled boxing event on Feb. 13.”BoxingScene obtained a copy of a letter that was sent to all parties involved by VADA, which conducted the drug test. It reads in part:
“Adverse analytical finding: IRMS (isotope-ratio mass spectrometry) results are consistent with exogenous origin of testosterone and metabolites.” What does 5 2 pay.
And: “Mr. Kovalev has the right to promptly request analysis of the ‘B’ sample at his expense.”
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Andre Ward Vs Sergey Kovalev
BoxingScene asked Kovalev’s longtime promoter, Kathy Duva, to comment.
“We are aware of the adverse finding from VADA,” she said. “Sergey Kovalev has been proven to be a clean fighter throughout the many years that he has been tested by VADA. VADA was contracted for this fight at his insistence, as he has requested for almost all of his fights going back several years.
“He maintains that he did not purposefully ingest any banned substances. We have made arrangements to have his supplements tested for contamination and will request that VADA test his B sample.”
Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) last fought in November 2019, when he was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in the 11th round to lose his 175-pound title.
Sergey Kovalev Vs Canelo
Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) is a natural super middleweight but agreed to a catch weight of 178 pounds for the fight. The Uzbek is a 2016 Olympic silver medalist.