British boxer, Lawrence Okolie, has failed a doping test in the build-up to his scheduled heavyweight clash with Tony Yoka.
The 33-year-old had been due to face the Frenchman, who won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics, in Paris on Saturday, April 25. However, the bout has now been scrapped following the development.
Promoter Queensberry Promotions confirmed it was informed on Monday night by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association that Okolie “returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday”.
With Okolie withdrawn from the main event, the entire fight card has been cancelled.
The former cruiserweight world champion has responded to the situation, insisting the result may be linked to medical treatment he received after an injury.
“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, following my bicep injury last year, I sustained an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp,” Okolie said in a statement posted on social media.
“I had a treatment on it and now we are here. I truly hope sense prevails.
“I will of course be fully co-operating with all relevant authorities and I’m confident any investigation will clear my name.”
Okolie, who stepped up to the heavyweight division in 2024, remains unbeaten in three fights at the weight. His last outing saw him stop Ebenezer Tetteh in December.
