Terence Crawford’s ideal next fight in jeopardy as title bout cancelled over drug test

Janibek Alimkhanuly has reportedly tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in a VADA test.

According to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, the IBF and WBO middleweight champion has delivered an adverse analytical finding.

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And Janibek’s 160lbs unification bout with boxing’s oldest world champion Erislandy Lara now looks to be off.

Esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael obtained a VADA report that suggests Janibek vs Lara has been cancelled, according to Premier Boxing Champions — promoters of the fight.

Janibek has since released a statement on X.

“I have always supported clean sport, you know this well,” the 32-year-old said.

“I was surprised when I read the news. VADA took the first test and said everything was clean.

“I have not made any changes to my vitamins. I don’t know what happened with the second test, so I requested a retest.”

Terence Crawford had teased fight with Janibek Alimkhanuly

Undisputed super middleweight champion Terence Crawford had a keen eye on the undefeated Kazakh’s fight with Lara.

It was set to take place on the undercard of Isaac Cruz vs Lamont Roach in San Antonio this weekend, but Lara, according to Coppinger and Rafael, is now set to defend his WBA title against a new opponent.

Crawford, who moved up two divisions to claim Canelo Alvarez’s undisputed super middleweight throne in September, said he had his ‘eyes’ on Janibek during an interaction with the 32-year-old’s manager in October.

He later stirred the pot by uploading a video to his social media accounts showing a photo of him alongside Janibek posing simultaneously.

Janibek vs Lara was set to be a classic three-belt shootout in the middleweight division, but the news of the former’s alleged failed drug test could have huge ramifications on the future at 160lbs.

Responding to Janibek’s positive test, one fan wrote on X: “The boxing gods [are] keeping that dreaded Janibek vs. Crawford fight from happening.”

While another added: “This s*** better not be true. 160lbs division already looks terrible. Then never mind this guy who [has] been feening for Crawford.”

Carlos Adames, who drew with Hamzah Sheeraz in February, holds the WBC’s belt at 160lbs.

He hasn’t fought since the highly contentious draw with the 26-year-old British star, but was in negotiations to box Janibek in early 2025 until a deal collapsed.

Crawford, meanwhile, has teased a potential move from 168lbs to 160lb more than once to challenge for a world title in a sixth weight class.

“My gut says the same thing,” he told Netflix after his win over Canelo.

“I’m going to sit down with my team and discuss what is next in the future for Terence Crawford, but who knows, I might go down to 160lbs.”

Crawford became the first male boxer in the four-belt era of the sport’s history to win undisputed titles in three separate weight classes when he overcame Canelo via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.