Alexander Povetkin has been out of action for quite some time due to doping problems.

On one occasion, he was allowed to compete in a fight in which he had announced that he had failed a test.

Since his defeat to Wladimir Klitschko, he has won seven consecutive victories, the last two by unanimous decision, but that does not mean that the doubts about obtaining those victories have dissipated.

Now, after Luis Ortiz has been ruled out as Joshua's opponent due to doping problems (although Ortiz has claimed it is due to a controlled medication that does not enhance his performance), the name of Povetkin resurfaces as a title contender.

How safe is it for Joshua and ethical for the sport that Alexander Povetkin is the official challenger for the title when he has not clarified the situation regarding the banned substances found in his body?

AMB Statement

Russian gladiator Alexander Povetkin (32-1, 23KO) became the number one contender for British fighter Anthony Joshua, the current Super Champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Heavyweight division, on Friday, December 15th.

Povetkin faced and defeated Romanian Christian Hammer on Friday, following a resolution by the WBA Championships Committee that stated this fight would be an eliminator for the top recognition in the over 200-pound division, giving the Russian the opportunity to challenge Joshua.

Known as "Russian Vityaz", the boxer currently holds the second position in the WBA Heavyweight rankings and the WBA-Continental title in the category.