Lawrence Okolie’s Paris Fight in Doubt After Doping Test Issue Surfaces

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British heavyweight boxer Lawrence Okolie faces fresh uncertainty just days before his scheduled fight in Paris after returning an adverse anti-doping result. The 33-year-old was set to headline a major card promoted by Queensberry Promotions on Saturday, April 25, against France’s Tony Yoka.

The bout was planned as a 12-round contest at the Adidas Arena and had drawn strong interest due to both fighters’ standing. Okolie, a former world champion at cruiserweight and bridgerweight, had moved up to heavyweight and remained unbeaten in three fights at the new weight.

The latest development has cast doubt on the fight, with officials yet to confirm whether the event will proceed as planned.

VADA Notifies Promoters of Adverse Finding

The situation emerged after the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed promoters of an adverse analytical finding from a test conducted ahead of the fight. Queensberry Promotions confirmed the update in an official statement, saying Okolie had “returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday.” The company added it would provide more details on the status of the fight “in due course.”

Okolie responded publicly, linking the result to medical treatment during training. “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. 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.”

Under anti-doping rules, Okolie can request testing of his B-sample. A formal process will follow to determine the outcome of the case.