STWF Sports | Dec. 3, 2025 –The middleweight division has been thrown into disarray once again, and boxing’s oldest active world champion Erislandy Lara is now set for a dramatically altered assignment. Instead of a highly anticipated three-belt unification against Janibek Alimkhanuly, the 42-year-old Cuban star will defend his WBA middleweight title against short-notice challenger Johan González this weekend in San Antonio.
What was supposed to be one of the most significant 160-lb fights in years has suddenly become a scramble, after Janibek returned an adverse analytical finding in a VADA-administered drug test. The Kazakh champion, who held the WBO and IBF titles, tested positive for Meldonium, a banned substance known to enhance endurance and recovery. As a result, the unification bout was immediately canceled pending a full investigation.
FROM UNDISPUTED HOPEFUL TO LAST-MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS
The stakes had never been higher for Lara, who was preparing for his chance to add two more belts and position himself for a potential mega-fight with undisputed pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford in 2026. Instead, the WBA champion now faces a dangerous but far less-celebrated opponent—a major shift in opposition, narrative, and financial expectation.
González, 34, arrives with a 36–4 record and plenty of power, but also questions about whether his best years are behind him. However, he carries one key credential that should not be overlooked: he knocked out Jarrett Hurd in his last fight, handing defeat to a man who himself beat Lara in a Fight of the Year classic back in 2018.
That victory alone makes González a legitimate threat, even on short notice. For Lara, at 42, the risk of a late switch in styles is no trivial matter.
JANIBEK: “I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED CLEAN SPORT”
Janibek, widely regarded as one of the most avoided fighters in the sport, has denied wrongdoing and insists the situation is a misunderstanding. His statement emphasized both his surprise and his commitment to clean competition.
“I have always supported clean sport—you know this well,” he 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.”
The Kazakh champion’s future now hangs in limbo. A confirmed violation could lead to suspension, stripping of titles, and major delays to any future return to the ring.
COULD TERENCE CRAWFORD TURN HIS ATTENTION TO LARA?
Crawford, the reigning undisputed super middleweight champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, had been watching the Lara–Janibek fight closely. He has repeatedly said he is interested in dropping to 160 pounds in pursuit of a sixth divisional world title, something no male boxer has achieved in the four-belt era.
But the sudden collapse of the unification means Crawford’s potential roadmap is now blurred.
Lara remains a compelling name, but as the holder of only one belt, the Cuban star may not offer Crawford the type of legacy-defining opportunity he desires. Crawford is known to chase history, not just paydays, and the American may prefer to wait until the division stabilizes—or until more belts are unified again.
Still, a Crawford–Lara matchup has stylistic intrigue: elite defense, high ring IQ, and footwork battle footwork. Whether it’s big enough for Crawford’s ambitions remains to be seen.
LARA’S LEGACY ON THE LINE
For now, Lara must focus on González—a fighter with nothing to lose and everything to gain. At 42, Lara is well past the typical lifespan of an elite world champion, but his skill, discipline, and southpaw craft remain elite.
A loss would dramatically reshape the middleweight landscape and close the door on the Crawford superfight. A victory keeps the Cuban veteran alive in the conversation for one last major unification run.
A NIGHT OF ANSWERS IN SAN ANTONIO
Though boxing fans were robbed of a major unification bout, they are still getting a meaningful matchup. Lara’s age, González’s power, and the overall uncertainty at 160 pounds combine for a fascinating, if improvised, main event.
The middleweight division is in flux—and every punch this weekend could determine what comes next.
