Alexander Povetkin (R) poses with Wladimir Klitschko before their 2013 fight.

The WBC’s snail-like investigation into Alexander Povetkin’s positive drug test appears to have reached its final stage, the Mexico-based sanctioning body announced on Wednesday.

Povetkin and his representatives will now have a chance to defend themselves and lobby the WBC on behalf of Povetkin’s innocence as part of the WBC’s examination of his positive drug test for the banned substance meldonium. The WBC launched an investigation into Povetkin on May 13 soon after his test results became public, claiming it had formed an “emergency review committee” to help facilitate the probe. The inquiry is apparently in its bell lap with a conclusion soon to follow. Povetkin remains the No. 1 ranked heavyweight in the WBC’s ratings below Wilder.

“The last phase of the WBC’s anti-doping results management in the Povetkin case will be to afford Mr. Povetkin and his team the opportunity to present their position in the case and any factual, medical and/or scientific data they deem appropriate,” the WBC said in a statement. “Soon after that phase is completed, the WBC will be in the best position to make and announce its final ruling.”

A lot has happened since the WBC started its inquiry. Wilder was granted the freedom to make a voluntary defense of his WBC heavyweight title, and he will face trial horse Chris Arreola on July 16 from Birmingham, Alabama. Wilder and his promoter, Lou DiBella have also filed a lawsuit against Povetkin and his promoter, Andrey Ryabinskiy for breach of contract after their May 21^st fight in Moscow was called off because of the positive drug test. Povetkin tested positive on April 27 after he had passed VADA-administered tests on April 7,8, and 11.

Povetkin has admitted ingesting meldonium last year before it was officially put on the banned list on Jan. 1. Ryabinskiy has claimed the traces of meldonium found in his system were too low to be considered in violation of anti-doping standards.