Lazizbek Mullojonov, who won heavyweight gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Uzbekistan, has been notified that he tested positive for a banned substance and has been provisionally suspended by the International Testing Agency.

Mullojonov’s test, administered during an out-of-competition doping control on June 11, returned an adverse analytical finding for methasterone metabolites, the ITA noted in a press release issued this week.

“Methasterone is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids,” the release noted. “Methasterone is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and is a non-specified substance. Methasterone is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid associated with the promotion of rapid muscle growth, increased strength and power.”

Mullojonov, a 26-year-old who turned professional in 2021, has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample from his testing, but if analysis confirms the result of his A-sample or he fails to request a B-sample analysis, the ITA will approach the matter as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. (Mullojonov will, in any case, get a chance to explain his testing result and challenge the provisional suspension if he chooses.)

Mullojonov, who defeated Azerbaijan’s Loren Berto Alfonso Dominguez in the 92kg gold medal match in Paris, is now 7-0 (6 KOs) as a pro. He most recently won a six-round unanimous decision over Youness Baalia in June in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the WBC Heavyweight Grand Prix.

The WBC website currently indicates Baalia – not Mullojonov – will move on to face the United States’ Dante Stone in the Heavyweight Grand Prix’s Round of 8. It’s unclear whether the change was made in response to Mullojonov’s suspension. No further explanation was provided.

BoxingScene has reached out to the WBC for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.

Jason Langendorf is the former Boxing Editor of ESPN.com, was a contributor to Ringside Seat and the Queensberry Rules, and has written about boxing for Vice, The Guardian, Chicago Sun-Times and other publications. A member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, he can be found at LinkedIn and followed on X and Bluesky.