Janibek Alimkhanuly stripped of middleweight championship due to rule infractions.

The IBF announced on Tuesday that it has stripped Janibek Alimkhanuly of his middleweight championship due to several infractions, including a failed performance-enhancing drug test and his failure to fulfill his mandatory title defense requirement. He continues to hold the WBO title.

Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs), hailing from Kazakhstan, was withdrawn from a middleweight unification bout against WBA champion Erislandy Lara just four days prior to their scheduled encounter in December after testing positive for the prohibited substance meldonium. Both the A and B samples were analyzed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association and returned positive for the substance, which aids in endurance and reduces recovery time during training.

In late February, the WBO opted to suspend Alimkhanuly for one year but permitted him to retain the title. However, due to his inability to defend the IBF title as a result of his suspension, the IBF has chosen to revoke the title.

Alimkhanuly, 32, is also suspended until May 31 by the Kazakhstan Federation of Professional Boxing and until June 1 by the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States. He has participated in three fights in Kazakhstan and 13 in the United States.