Paris 2024 Olympic heavyweight boxing champion Lazizbek Mullojonov has been provisionally suspended by the International Testing Agency (ITA) following a positive result for the banned anabolic steroid methasterone, detected during an out‑of‑competition drug test conducted on June 11, 2025.
The 26‑year‑old Uzbek athlete, who clinched Olympic gold in the under‑92 kg category in Paris, now faces serious scrutiny. Methasterone is classified under Section S1.1 of the World Anti‑Doping Agency’s prohibited list and is known for promoting rapid muscle growth and enhancing strength and power.
Mullojonov has been informed of the adverse finding and is entitled to request the analysis of his B‑sample. If the B‑sample confirms the A‑sample result—or if he chooses not to request it—the finding will be treated as a confirmed anti‑doping rule violation. He will also have the opportunity to present his explanations before any final decision is made.
This provisional suspension casts a shadow not only over Mullojonov’s Olympic triumph but also over his prior accomplishments, which include bronze at the 2023 IBA World Boxing Championships and gold in super heavyweight at the 2022 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships.
While his Olympic medal is not immediately at risk, the anti‑doping investigation continues. The Uzbekistan Boxing Federation has not yet commented on the situation.
Context & Implications
- The ITA oversees independent anti‑doping enforcement in global boxing. Under World Boxing regulations, methasterone is non‑specified and carries strict liability under WADA rules. A confirmed violation could result in a multi-year ban from competition.
- Provisional suspensions are mandated immediately following positive A‑sample findings; the process includes sample B analysis, the athlete’s right to rebuttal, and potential sanctions depending on outcomes.
- If the B‑sample confirms the result, Mullojonov could be stripped of titles and face disqualification across results dating back to the infraction, which could dramatically alter the Olympic record books.
What Lies Ahead
- Mullojonov must decide whether to request B‑sample testing. A refusal could expedite the confirmation of an anti‑doping rule violation. If granted, analysis may take several weeks.
- Pending results, the boxer may face sanctions, including a period of ineligibility and potential disqualification from past events affected by the timeline under WADA and boxing regulations.
- His defense options include proving contamination or procedural error—though strict liability often limits successful appeals unless scientific or procedural flaws are demonstrated.
Mullojonov’s Sporting Legacy at Stake
- His gold medal at Paris 2024 represented the pinnacle of a rising trajectory in amateur boxing.
- Previous successes include his podium finish in the 2023 World Championships and a continental title in 2022, all of which risk being overshadowed if the case ends in a confirmed violation.
- As a prominent figure in Uzbek sports, Mullojonov’s suspension may lead to broader scrutiny on doping protocols within global amateur boxing.
Summary
Lazizbek Mullojonov—the reigning Olympic heavyweight champion—is under provisional suspension following detection of methasterone in an out-of-competition test on June 11, 2025. He can opt for B‑sample testing, and the case could escalate into a confirmed doping violation if positive or left unchallenged. This development raises significant questions for the integrity of recent achievements in his career and underscores the stringent standards of anti-doping enforcement in elite sport.
