Deontay Wilder v. Alexander Povetkin was
schedueld to take place on May 21, 2016, but was cancelled
when Povetkin failed the standard drug test
Undefeated WBC heavyweight world champion, Deontay Wilder,
30, has sued rival and challenger, Alexander Povetkin, 36,
for failing a drug test, which led to the cancellation of
their much anticipated fight in Russia. Povetkin's promoter
Andrey Ryabinskiy has also been sued in the legal action.
Povetkin tested positive for the steroid meldonium, which
was added to the banned list in January 2016.
Meldonium's primary function is as a heart drug. However, it
does give athletes an edge in competition, creating
increased oxygen intake and recovery (but it is not without
considerable risks to a person who is not a cardiac patient:
"Tennis Star Maria Sharapova Given 2-Year Ban For Using Banned
Steroid" and "42-Year-Old MMA Star Kimbo Slice Dies From Fatal Heart Attack In
Florida").
Wilder's purse for the fight was to be $4,369,365, money
Wilder lost, as he was the likely favorite to retain the WBC
heavyweight belt. Wilder's record is (36-0). Povetkin's
record is (31-1). Wilder has a valid case. He upheld his end
of the contract. However, Povetkin's conduct via a failed
drugs test constitutes breach of contract, as each fighter
was legally obligated to show up for the fight drug free.
As such, Wilder is entitled to financial compensation.
Wilder spent time and money training for the fight
($100,000) and in this site's estimation would have won the
bout (again the purse was $4,369,365). During said time,
Wilder could have taken another lucrative fight as champion
and made millions of dollars. Wilder was also deprived of
the fight of a lifetime, to perform in Russia before a very
large audience, which would have increased his fame in
Europe and Britain. Therefore, it is a litigable offense,
the case has merit and there are actual damages (financial
losses) one can gain relief for under court rules. The case
has been filed in New York.
Previously, Povetkin's promoter Ryabinskiy, sued Don King
and his fighter, Guillermo Jones, over a failed drug test
and won $2,000,000. Therefore, there is precedent for
Wilder's lawsuit.
STORY SOURCE
Deontay Wilder, promoter file suit over canceled Alexander Povetkin match
Deontay Wilder, promoter file suit over canceled Alexander Povetkin match
June 13, 2016 4:54 PM - Deontay
Wilder, the WBC heavyweight contender, and promoter DiBella
Entertainment have jointly filed a federal lawsuit against
No. 1 contender Alexander Povetkin and his promoter, Andrey
Ryabinskiy, as a result of the cancelation of their planned
May 21 bout in Russia.
Povetkin tested positive for the
banned substance Meldonium on April 27. WBC president
Mauricio Sulaiman ruled on May 15 the fight could not
proceed as a result of Povetkin's failure. The suit, filed
Monday in U.S. District Court in New York, seeks a minimum
of $5 million in actual damages plus additional damages to
be proven at trial. Ryabinskiy's company, World of Boxing,
earned the right to promote the bout via a purse bid in
which its bid was $7.15 million. Out of that, Wilder's purse
was to be $4,369,365...
"Plaintiffs' concerns about ensuring proper
testing for banned substances became amplified when, in or
around late March 2016, DBE received information that made
it concerned that Povetkin was undergoing some kind of
doping (i.e., use of banned substances) regimen," the suit
read. "In particular, DBE learned that Povetkin had traveled
to Spain, which was highly suspicious considering that (i)
it is common knowlege in the boxing industry that Povetkin
does not like to train outside of Russia, and (ii) while
Spain is not known to be a traditional place for boxers to
train, it is notorious as an epicenter of doping. Based upon
this information, DBE and Wilder began pressuring the WBC to
immediately commence random doping testing for the Bout."
Guillermo Jones, a Don King-promoted
fighter, tested positive for a banned substance and couldn't
compete against a WOB-promoted fighter. Ryabinskiy sued King
for failing to produce Jones and won a $2 million
judgment...
RELATED ARTICLES
Boxer Alexander Povetkin Testing Positive For Steroids Causes Cancellation Of Deontay Wilder Fight And Possible Lawsuits
