Light-heavyweight boxing contender Imam Khataev has reportedly received a two-year suspension from the sport following a positive test for a prohibited substance. The news, emanating from the International Testing Agency (ITA), marks a significant setback for the Russian boxer, who was on the cusp of a high-profile bout.
According to the ITA`s statement, Khataev tested positive for Clomifene and its metabolites during an out-of-competition doping control conducted on April 9, 2024. Clomifene is listed under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List as an S4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulator. It is banned both in and out of competition and is known for its potential use in increasing testosterone levels, a common tactic in attempts to gain an unfair physical advantage.
The sanction, issued by the ITA on behalf of the International Boxing Association (IBA), imposes a two-year period of ineligibility. Curiously, the effective dates for this ban are stated as June 26, 2025, running through to June 25, 2027. Adding to the complexity, the ITA has also ruled that the athlete`s results from April 9, 2024, onwards are to be disqualified. This would technically include any performances or outcomes achieved since the date the sample was collected.
The timing of this announcement is particularly impactful. Khataev, who holds a professional record of 10-0 with 9 knockouts, was scheduled to face Cuban talent David Morrell on July 13th in New York as part of a notable boxing event. This match-up was seen as a significant step up in competition for Khataev and a chance to solidify his position among the division`s top contenders. His removal from the card leaves promoters scrambling for a replacement and disappoints fans anticipating the clash.
It`s worth noting that the positive test occurred just 13 days after Khataev`s last fight, a decision victory over Durval Elias Palacio. While the ban dates start later, the invalidation of results applies from the test date, which could potentially impact any rankings or records post-April 9, 2024.
The substance Clomifene is not unfamiliar in sports doping cases. It gained wider public attention in boxing a few years ago when Conor Benn`s positive tests for the same substance led to the cancellation of a major UK fight. Benn`s subsequent legal battles and eventual clearance by a National Anti-Doping Panel highlighted the complexities surrounding the substance and its detection.
Under the rules, parties with a right of appeal are able to challenge the decision before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). It remains to be seen if Khataev or his representatives will pursue this avenue.
For now, the two-year ban, regardless of its peculiar start date, sidelines a promising fighter and serves as another reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining clean competition in professional sports.
Tristan Blackwood