The World Boxing Council issued an official ruling on Friday, indicating that it closed its Clean Boxing Program’s Results Management process concerning Avni Yildirim’s adverse finding related to a recent out-of-competition anti-doping test. 

According to the WBC, that process included a thorough scientific investigation and evaluation, with the participation of independent experts.

That investigation and subsequent evaluation concluded that Yildirim did not ingest or became exposed to a banned substance knowledgeably or with a performance enhancement intention. 

Earlier this month, the WBC had announced that Yildirim was tested on September 13 by Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA), and they discovered an adverse finding of the banned substance methylclostebol.

Methylclostebol is a synthetic, orally-ingested substance that has long been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and VADA.

It was determined by the WBC that Yildirim unintentionally and inadvertently became exposed to a substance as part of a muscular inflammation therapy he received in Germany which was fully confirmed during the investigation. 

The sanctioning body notes that credible evidence was presented that the source of the banned substance was a specific contaminated product that was administered to Yildirim.

Yildirim and the WBC have entered into an adjudication agreement that includes a strict, long-term testing program, a fine, participation in a CBP awareness program and controls concerning any substance to which Yildirim might be exposed in the future.

Due to this ruling, the WBC has approved Yildirim to move forward with a mandatory bout for the WBC super middleweight championship against undefeated David Benavidez.

Because Yildirim's test took place during an "out of competition" period, the consequences from the WBC were less severe then they would have been if he had been training for a scheduled fight.