The sanctioning body announced on Friday a one-year suspension for the WBO and IBF middleweight champion after he allegedly failed a drug test for a banned substance on November 15.

The suspension is retroactive to December 2, which will allow Alimkhanuly to fight again in nine-plus months.

“The WBO World Championship Committee hereby informs that, on yesterday's date, it unanimously resolved to suspend Middleweight Champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly from participation in all boxing and/or exhibition events for a period of one (1) year, effective retroactively as of December 2, 2025,” Gustavo Olivieri, President of the WBO wrote on his X account. “The official written ruling, setting forth the full findings, terms, and conditions, will be published later today.”

Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) had been scheduled to face fellow champion Erislandy Lara, the division’s WBA champion, on December 6. However, the 32-year-old Kazakhstani was pulled from the card after allegedly testing positive for the banned drug Meldonium.

Meldonium has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2016. A 2015 study noted that it "demonstrates an increase in endurance performance of athletes, improved rehabilitation after exercise, protection against stress, and enhanced activations of central nervous system functions."

Alimkhanuly has denied wrongdoing.

In the meantime, Olivieri refuses to allow the division to become stagnant. So while Alimkhanuly serves his time on the bench, an interim champion will soon be crowned.

“In order to preserve the integrity and activity of the Middleweight Division, and to safeguard the rights and interests of the ranked contenders, the Committee shall authorize the contesting of the Interim Middleweight Championship between the WBO's #1 rated contender, Denzel Bentley, and the #2 rated contender, Endry Saavedra,” Olivieri said in the statement.

Olivieri evidently will allow Alimkhanuly to hold onto the WBO title if he abides by the rules once his suspension is up.

“Upon the expiration of his suspension, Mr. Alimkhanuly shall be mandated to face the duly recognized Interim Champion for the immediate termination of the interim status,” Olivieri said. “No intervening bouts shall be permitted. Failure to comply with these conditions shall result in the Committee taking such affirmative action as it deems necessary and appropriate under the WBO Regulations.”