British boxer Lawrence Okolie has failed a doping check and his heavyweight battle in opposition to Tony Yoka this weekend won’t go forward.
The 33-year-old had been scheduled to tackle Frenchman Yoka, a 2016 Olympic champion, in Paris on Saturday, 25 April.
Combat promoter Queensberry mentioned it was informed on Monday night time by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Affiliation (Vada) that Okolie “returned an opposed discovering following an anti-doping check performed forward of the present in Paris this Saturday”.
The battle night time has been cancelled following Okolie’s removing from the headline bout, with Queensberry citing “circumstances outdoors of our management”.
Former world champion Okolie earlier mentioned that he hoped “sense prevails” as he defined the failed check got here after therapy for an damage.
“Earlier than anybody begins imagining the worst, following my bicep damage final 12 months, I sustained an elbow damage on the identical arm throughout this camp,” Okolie mentioned in a press release posted on social media.
“I had a therapy on it and now we’re right here. I really hope sense prevails.
“I’ll in fact be absolutely co-operating with all related authorities and I am assured any investigation will clear my title.”
Okolie gained a world title at cruiserweight earlier than shifting as much as heavyweight in 2024.
He’s undefeated in three heavyweight fights and stopped Ebenezer Tetteh final December in his most up-to-date outing.
