According to WBA (World Boxing Association) "regular" welterweight world champion Alexander Besputin, the opening of the B-sample of his doping test - scheduled for March 17 at an anti-doping laboratory in Paris - was cancelled due to the coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic.

Besputin’s B-sample was initially planned to be opened on March 3, but due to various reasons the procedure had been rescheduled for March 17.

"The opening of the doping sample has been cancelled due to the current global situation," Besputin said to tass.

The 28-year-old Russian boxer, who has an unblemished record of 14 wins, including nine by KOs, in all of his fights, won the WBA "regular

 welterweight world championship on November 30 in Monaco by defeating his compatriot Radzhab Butaev with a unanimous decision.

After the fight in Monaco, doping inspectors collected a sample from Besputin. In January, it was revealed that the A-sample of the doping test showed the presence of a banned substance, Ligandrol, in his body.

The Russian boxer stated in January that he was "puzzled and shocked" over his doping test’s results and maintained that he had never once consumed banned performance enhancing drugs throughout his sports career.

Besputin joined the world of professional boxing in October 2015, when he signed a contract with Top Rank and known manager Egis Klimas. Before the fight in Monaco last November, he held all of his previous bouts in the United States.

The Russian boxer is also the 2012 Russian champion, the 2013 European champion and the silver medalist of the 2015 European Games.

As the "regular" champion, Besputin is in line for a crack at the WBA's super champion, which is Manny Pacquiao.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org