A 2024 out-of-competition drug take a look at of sunshine heavyweight Imam Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) produced a optimistic consequence, a revelation that has solely come to gentle simply days earlier than a scheduled bout in opposition to David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs).
The Worldwide Testing Company (ITA) posted to their web site on Tuesday that the Russian-born boxer examined optimistic for “clomifene and its metabolites.” Khataev has been hit with a two-year sanction by the ITA on behalf of the Worldwide Boxing Affiliation (IBA). The ban went into impact on June 26 of this yr and stays in impact till June 25, 2027.
At current, Khataev is scheduled to face Morrell in a light-weight heavyweight conflict on Saturday on the undercard of Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz. That battle would happen on the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York Metropolis, NY.
Imam Khataev Constructive Drug Check Revealed Forward of David Morrell Conflict
What Did Imam Khataev Check for and What Does It Imply for Him?
Khataev examined optimistic for clomifene, a drug that’s on the World Anti-Doping Company’s (WADA) prohibited listing. In line with the assertion revealed by the ITA it may be used to extend testosterone ranges by athletes. These conversant in Conor Benn might recall that he additionally examined optimistic for a similar substance.
The ITA, which helps the IBA in delivering their anti-doping program, says of their assertion that the take a look at was carried out on April 9, 2024. All of Khataev’s outcomes from that date onwards have been disqualified. Nonetheless, it must be famous that he has not participated in any IBA sanctioned bouts since July 15, 2023. He has fought in seven sanctioned skilled contests that don’t have anything to do with the IBA since that date. The disqualification of his outcomes have little bearing on the outcomes of these bouts.
Organizers for the July 12 card that options Khataev have but to touch upon the scenario as this piece goes revealed. Whether or not he stays Morrell’s opponent on Saturday stays to be seen.
How Has Imam Khataev Responded?
Eye of the Tiger Administration (EOTTM), promoters of Khataev, issued a press release on his behalf a day after the ITA had revealed their very own. The next clarification was given for his optimistic take a look at:
“The opposed discovering was sudden and deeply regarding to Imam. Imam categorically denies the intentional or knowingly ingestion of any banned substances and insists that the one attainable clarification for this opposed analytical discovering is meals contamination. Certainly, Imam’s anti-doping management came about at daybreak throughout Ramadan, shortly after the nightly feast that breaks the quick. On the time, Imam had a high-protein weight loss program and will need to have unknowingly consumed clomifene-contaminated meals, which, in flip, will need to have instantly affected the opposed analytical discovering.”
The put up beneath was posted to the EOTTM X account and consists of the assertion in full in addition to copies of take a look at outcomes that got here out unfavourable. It must be famous that these assessments have been carried out this yr and don’t have anything to do with Khataev’s optimistic consequence for clomifene.
Official assertion on behalf of Imam Khataev. pic.twitter.com/BZAisx4F0Q
— Eye of the Tiger (@eottm_boxing) July 9, 2025
Each Khataev and the ITA’s assertion say that they are going to be making no additional touch upon the matter.
