Lawrence Okolie has failed a drug test just days before his heavyweight clash with Tony Yoka, causing the event to be cancelled.
Briton Okolie was set to meet Frenchman Yoka in front of a partisan crowd in Paris this weekend, with “The Sauce” looking to push himself into the world-title picture.
However, things took a turn for the worse after he returned an “adverse finding” in a drug test in the lead-up to the fight.
Queensberry Promotions released a statement on Tuesday morning, which read: “Last night, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) informed Queensberry that Lawrence Okolie had returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris on Saturday. A further update regarding the event will be made in due course.”
That update came in the afternoon, as Queensberry said: “Due to circumstances outside of our control, Queensberry and DAZN have regrettably made the decision to cancel this Saturday’s scheduled event in Paris. For refunds, please contact your ticket purchaser.”
The Independent approached a representative of Okolie for comment, although the boxer himself offered an explanation on Instagram and said: “I won’t be making any further comment at this time.”
Okolie’s post read: “Before anyone starts imagining the worst, following my bicep injury last year, I sustained an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp. I had a treatment on it and now we are here. I truly hope sense prevails.
“I will of course be fully cooperating with all relevant authorities and I’m confident any investigation will clear my name.
“I won’t be making any further comment at this time. Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”
Okolie is the reigning WBC silver heavyweight champion and was set to make his fourth appearance in the division off the back of a win over Ebenezer Tetteh in Lagos last December.
It comes after the 33-year-old moved up from cruiserweight, where he reigned as WBO world champion for two years, before being dethroned by compatriot Chris Billam-Smith.
That defeat at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium proved the end of his run at 200lb as he went on to knock out Lukasz Rozanksi to capture the WBC bridgerweight title, before bulking up further and beating Hussein Muhamed and Kevin Lerana at heavyweight.
Of Saturday’s collapsed contest with Yoka, The Independent columnist Steve Bunce had written: “This is one of those crucial fights that slips under the radar: both boxers desperately need to win. There is a role in the grand heavyweight scheme available to Saturday’s winner, while the loser becomes the latest test for the next kid on the block.”
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