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Boxing

Kazakhstan’s Zhanibek Alimkhanuly Moves to Super Middleweight After Doping Ban

Kazakhstan’s Zhanibek Alimkhanuly has announced that he is moving to the super middleweight division following a one-year suspension for a doping violation, relinquishing his remaining World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title and potentially setting up future bouts against some of boxing’s biggest names, including Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Alimkhanuly had established himself as one of boxing’s leading middleweights after unifying the WBO and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world titles. His career was disrupted late last year, however, when he tested positive for a banned substance ahead of a planned title unification fight with World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Erislandy Lara. The suspension, which runs until December 2026, also cost him the IBF championship after he was unable to make a mandatory title defense. Before the suspension was due to expire, Alimkhanuly had been expected to defend his remaining WBO title against the UK’s Denzel Bentley. Instead, he announced that he would vacate the belt and move up to the super middleweight division, where the weight limit is 168 pounds and many of boxing’s highest-profile fighters now compete. Bentley has since been elevated to full WBO middleweight champion. “We made a lot of noise in the middleweight division and won two world titles. It was here that we brought the ‘Kazakh Style’ to the global stage. Now it’s time to continue that journey at super middleweight,” Alimkhanuly wrote on Instagram. Alimkhanuly received the WBO title in 2022 after American Demetrius Andrade declined to defend the belt against him. A year later, he stopped Germany’s Vincenzo Gualtieri to unify the WBO and IBF championships. His middleweight résumé also includes a unanimous decision victory over the UK’s Denzel Bentley and a successful title defense against France’s Anauel Ngamissengue. The move to super middleweight revives the possibility of a long-discussed fight with Mexico’s undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, whom Alimkhanuly has repeatedly challenged in recent years. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, another prominent Kazakhstani boxer, Olympic champion Daniyar Yeleussinov, was sentenced to 20 days in administrative detention and banned from driving for seven years after multiple alcohol-related traffic incidents.

Traffic Offenses

Kazakhstan Olympic Boxing Champion Jailed for Drunk Driving After Multiple Crashes

Kazakhstan’s 2016 Olympic boxing champion Daniyar Yeleussinov has been sentenced to 20 days of administrative detention and banned from driving for seven years after being found guilty of driving under the influence and causing several traffic accidents in Astana. According to Astana’s Specialized Interdistrict Administrative Court, Yeleussinov admitted his guilt during the hearing. The ruling has not yet entered into legal force and may be appealed within 10 days. The incident occurred in Astana on July 9, when police detained Yeleussinov after he allegedly drove while intoxicated, causing a series of collisions and leaving the scenes of the accidents. According to the court, Yeleussinov first struck the supporting structure of an underground parking entrance. He then collided with another vehicle, causing it to hit a third car. In a subsequent collision, he struck another vehicle, which was pushed into a Toyota Hilux. The accidents caused mechanical damage to several vehicles and resulted in financial losses. Evidence presented to the court included a medical examination confirming mild alcohol intoxication, police reports, accident diagrams, video recordings, and witness statements. Yeleussinov admitted full responsibility. He was convicted under Article 608, Part 3 of Kazakhstan’s Code of Administrative Offenses, which covers driving under the influence resulting in property damage. The provision carries a mandatory penalty of 20 days of administrative detention and a seven-year driving ban. “The court found no circumstances preventing the application of administrative detention. Since the sanction under Article 608, Part 3 provides no alternative punishment, the court imposed 20 days of administrative arrest and deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for seven years,” the court said. Yeleussinov, who was born in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan Region, enjoyed one of the country’s most successful amateur boxing careers. He won the 2013 World Championships in the 69-kilogram category, claimed Asian Championships and Asian Games titles between 2013 and 2015, and won Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. After turning professional in 2018, Yeleussinov signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and won the International Boxing Organization welterweight title in 2021. His professional career subsequently slowed, and he has fought only twice since returning to the ring in 2024. In March 2025, he became the first Kazakhstani boxer to sign with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion, although he has yet to make his debut under the new banner. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, another prominent Kazakhstani boxer, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, was stripped of one of his two middleweight world titles in March after testing positive for a banned substance.

Sports

Kazakh Boxer Alimkhanuly Stripped of One of His Two Championship Titles

Kazakh boxer Zhanibek Alimkhanuly has been stripped of one of his two middleweight world championship titles following a doping case but has retained his second belt. The athlete will be eligible to return to the ring at the end of 2026 after serving a one-year suspension. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in December last year Alimkhanuly found himself at the center of a doping controversy less than a week before one of the most important fights of his career, a unification bout for three middleweight (up to 72.6 kg) titles against Cuban boxer Erislandi Lara. At that time, he tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. Following several months of proceedings, it was determined that the drug containing meldonium had been taken unintentionally. This finding allowed the potential period of disqualification to be reduced to one year. The suspension period began on December 2, 2025, the date of the boxer’s provisional suspension from competition. Accordingly, Alimkhanuly will be eligible to return to the ring on December 3, 2026. At the time of the ruling, the 29-year-old Kazakhstani held two world middleweight titles, under the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) versions. The WBO decided not to strip the Kazakh boxer of his championship belt. “Although the WBO has the authority to strip the champion of his title, we have concluded that, given all the circumstances and his status as a first-time offender, declaring the title vacant would not be proportionate to the punishment,” the organization said in a statement. In contrast, the IBF ultimately decided to strip the Kazakh boxer of his title. However, the decision was not taken directly because of the positive doping test. Rather, due to the suspension, the boxer will be unable to defend his title within the time frame stipulated by IBF regulations. Under the organization’s rules, a champion is required to defend his belt at least once every nine months. Alimkhanuly had been scheduled to defend his title on July 4, 2026, a date that is no longer feasible because of his suspension. As a result, the IBF Board of Directors declared the title vacant. The president of the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation, Rakhimzhan Yerdenbekov, said the situation should serve as a serious lesson for the athlete’s team. “I believe that this situation has been a major lesson for Zhanibek’s team. He will return to the ring even stronger and win all four world belts,” Yerdenbekov wrote on Instagram. The Alimkhanuly case is the second high-profile doping controversy in Central Asian boxing in a short period. Olympic champion Lazizbek Mullujonov of Uzbekistan was recently banned for three years for violating anti-doping rules.

Criminal Investigation

Olympic Boxing Champion Serik Sapiyev Assaulted by Deputy

A criminal case has been opened in Kazakhstan following the assault of Olympic boxing champion Serik Sapiyev by his deputy, Dauren Esimkhanov, in the Karaganda region’s Department of Physical Culture and Sports. The incident has triggered public outcry and intensified scrutiny of internal dynamics within the regional sports administration. Sapiyev, who currently heads the department, stated that the altercation was work-related. While the regional administration urged the public and media not to draw premature conclusions, it acknowledged that Esimkhanov had committed an offense and must be held accountable. A native of Karaganda, Sapiyev rose to prominence after winning gold in the 69 kg weight category at the 2012 London Olympics, where he was also awarded the Val Barker Trophy for most technical boxer. A two-time world amateur champion and two-time Asian champion, Sapiyev retired from professional boxing in 2012. He launched a political career the following year, becoming a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2013 and later serving as a deputy in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament, in 2017. In 2018, Sapiyev stepped down from parliament to lead the Committee on Sports and Physical Culture under the Ministry of Culture and Sports. He left the ministry in 2021 and, in late 2024, assumed his current position in Karaganda. The altercation reportedly took place on January 21 at a sports complex in Karaganda and was confirmed by local police. The Karaganda Region Police Department announced a criminal case based on a statement from the 42-year-old Sapiyev, citing grounds of assault. Esimkhanov, a sambo champion with accolades at both the Asian and world levels, has not denied involvement. Sapiyev addressed the incident on Instagram, asserting that the conflict stemmed from attempts to interfere with staffing decisions in the region's sports institutions without his knowledge. “I want to clarify: what happened was not a personal or domestic conflict, but rather resistance from certain individuals who have unofficial influence in the region,” Sapiyev wrote. “Without my knowledge, an attempt was made to illegally rotate the heads of sports organizations in the region. When I discovered this, I tried to stop it peacefully. I want to openly state that no provocations will shake my determination to implement systemic reforms in Kazakhstani sports, which the head of state has repeatedly spoken about.” In response, Esimkhanov claimed on social media that misinformation was being spread. “Currently, information that does not reflect the objective reality is being circulated. I ask you not to succumb to provocations and attempts to destabilize the situation by unscrupulous individuals,” he wrote. Ermaganbet Bulekpaev, the Akim of the Karaganda region, whose office oversees the department, called for caution and restraint while the investigation is underway. He confirmed that the Department for Civil Service Affairs will conduct a full inquiry, including a comprehensive audit of the department’s operations. “There has been a violation, and responsibility must be taken for it,” Bulekpaev stated during a staff meeting. “An investigation is underway, and each action will be given a legal assessment.” The scandal comes on...

Sports

Gennady Golovkin Becomes First Kazakhstani Inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame

Former middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin has become the first representative of Kazakhstan to be officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). This milestone cements “GGG’s” legacy not only as one of the most dominant fighters of his era, but also as a Kazakhstani athlete who has left a lasting imprint on the history of global boxing. Established in 1990, the IBHOF honors boxers, trainers, and promoters who have made significant contributions to the sport. It is located in Canastota, New York, with induction ceremonies traditionally held in summer. Athletes become eligible for induction three years after their last professional bout (previously five years until 2018). Golovkin was nominated this year based on his final official fight in 2022. Although he has not formally announced his retirement, his absence from the ring made him eligible. Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a panel of boxing journalists and historians from the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Canada, Argentina, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Mexico. Ballots including Golovkin’s name were distributed on October 1. In the 2025 vote, Golovkin was nominated for the first time and successfully selected alongside American Vernon Forrest and Irishman Steve Collins. Former world champions Antonio Tarver (first nominated in 2024) and Nigel Benn (first nominated in 2017) will also be inducted. The official ceremony will be held June 11-14, 2026, in Canastota. With this honor, Golovkin will join a prestigious group that includes Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Julio César Chávez, Evander Holyfield, Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and more. The Hall of Fame now features more than 300 inductees. Golovkin’s dominance in the middleweight division was exceptional. From 2014 onward, he held the WBA, WBC, IBF, and IBO titles at 72.6 kg across various years. He set a division record with 23 consecutive knockouts over nine years, the longest knockout streak in middleweight history. Over 90% of his professional wins came by knockout, earning recognition from the Guinness Book of Records as one of the highest KO ratios among champions. He also holds the middleweight record for most successful title defenses, with 22 victories over challengers. Golovkin's amateur record is equally remarkable. Before turning professional, he fought 350 bouts, winning 345, and served as the long-time captain of Kazakhstan’s national team. Since retiring from active competition, Golovkin has taken on a prominent role in sports administration. In February 2024, he became head of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee. In November 2025, he was elected president of the World Boxing Federation, becoming the first Kazakhstani to lead a global sports organization. He also introduced a reform platform focused on transparency and modern management in amateur boxing. Golovkin’s induction into the Hall of Fame marks the natural culmination of a career that helped shape modern boxing and inspire a generation of fans and athletes. For Kazakhstan, it is more than a personal milestone; it is a moment of national pride. Golovkin has become a sporting...

Sports

Kazakhstan’s World Champion Boxer Alimkhanuly Faces Doping Scandal Ahead of Title Unification Bout

Kazakhstan's middleweight world boxing champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly is embroiled in a doping scandal less than a week before the most significant fight of his career -- a unification bout for three championship titles against Cuba’s Erislandy Lara. A positive test for the banned substance meldonium has thrown his career into jeopardy and may cost him at least one of his two belts. The 29 year-old currently holds the WBO and IBF middleweight titles. He was awarded the WBO belt in 2022 after Demetrius Andrade declined to face him and secured the IBF title in 2023 with a knockout win over Germany’s Vincenzo Gualtieri. Alimkhanuly had since declared his ambition to become the undisputed champion by unifying all the major middleweight belts. His bout with Lara, the WBA titleholder, was scheduled for December 7 and was seen as a crucial step toward that goal. However, on Tuesday evening, news emerged that Alimkhanuly had tested positive for meldonium, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016. Studies cited by WADA in 2015 indicated that meldonium enhances endurance, accelerates recovery, and impacts the central nervous system. Under the rules of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), Alimkhanuly has 10 days to request analysis of the “B” sample. Regardless, the fight with Lara has been canceled. The Cuban boxer has already agreed to a new matchup against Venezuelan fighter Johan Gonzalez. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced it had initiated administrative proceedings and would allow Alimkhanuly’s team to present evidence. “The WBO anti-doping program operates on the principle of strict liability... the athlete is fully responsible for the substances found in his body,” WBO President Gustavo Olivieri said on social media platform X. Alimkhanuly’s team expressed shock at the test results and has called for a retest. “The reason for our surprise is that we first received information about a clean sample, and then about a controversial moment in the second one. We didn't change anything between tests, neither diet nor vitamins. We cannot understand how this could have happened,” the team stated. They confirmed that lawyers and independent experts are now involved, and that testing of the “B” sample is underway. The scandal marks the second high-profile doping case in Central Asian boxing within a short span. Olympic champion Lazizbek Mullojonov of Uzbekistan was recently handed a three-year suspension for violating anti-doping regulations.