Okolie Fails Doping Test Before Yoka Fight
British boxer Lawrence Okolie, a two-time world champion, has failed a doping test prior to his heavyweight fight against Tony Yoka.
The 33-year-old is set to face Frenchman Yoka, the 2016 Olympic champion, in Paris on Saturday, 25 April.
Fight promoter Queensberry announced on Monday night that the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) informed them that Okolie "returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday."
The promoter added that an update regarding whether the fight will proceed will be provided "in due course."
Okolie Responds to Failed Test
Okolie, a former world champion, addressed the situation, expressing hope that "sense prevails" and explained that the failed test followed treatment for 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's Career and Upcoming Fight
Okolie secured world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight before moving up to heavyweight in 2024. He remains undefeated in three heavyweight fights and most recently stopped Ebenezer Tetteh last December.
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