In a not-so-surprising move, Russian promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy says that his fighter, Alexander Povetkin, has been officially exonerated by the WBC for his latest failed drug test, paving the way for him to reinstated into their ratings come January.

Povetkin, who has repeatedly tested dirty for banned substances, had already been cleared by the WBO and WBA a few months ago for his latest infraction. Now it appears that the WBC has followed suit after a nearly year-long campaign by Ryabinskiy to clear his fighter’s name.

“So, a few months ago we achieved justification (rankings) in all organizations except the WBC. Now, the WBC sent us a letter today stating that Povetkin, suspended for life since December 6, can officially hold fights with the WBC, and from January, he will be returned to the official rating!”

Ryabinskiy even took it a step further to decalre that Povetkin was ‘found innocent!’ ‘Innoncent’ is a strong word for a habitual offender, but Ryabinskiy suggests that the Ostarine found in Povetkin’s most recently failed drug test got into his body by a food supplement. Sound familiar?

Anyway, Povetkin (32-1, 23 KOs) is currently scheduled to face Christian Hammer on December 15th in Russia, soon after which he’ll surely find his way right back into a title hunt. Let’s just call this a clear victory for ‘clean boxing.’