Formerly top ranked Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin (31-1, 23 KOs) will return from consecutive performance enhancing drug suspensions on July 1st in his native Russia. His team claims his return will be against a top 15 opponent.
In May of last year Povetkin was set for a highly anticipated title clash with WBC Heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs), but Povetkin failed a drug test and the fight was canceled. They have been locked in a legal battle since. Not helping that case, Povetkin was scheduled to face Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) in December to get back in line against Wilder in a WBC eliminator, but he failed a drug test there too. Instead his team got Johann Duhaupus (34-4, 21 KOs) to step in and be flattened on less than a days notice.
No word on which top 15 opponent, what that even means, or which drug Povetkin will fail a test for prior to the fight just yet.
