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Okolie fails doping test before Yoka fight
TL;DR
Lawrence Okolie has failed a doping test ahead of his heavyweight fight against Tony Yoka, scheduled for April 25 in Paris. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed the fight promoter of the adverse finding.
Key points
- Lawrence Okolie failed a doping test
- Fight against Tony Yoka scheduled for April 25
- Adverse finding reported by Voluntary Anti-Doping Association
Lawrence OkolieTony Yoka
Okolie is a two-time world champion [Getty Images]
British boxer Lawrence Okolie has failed a doping test before his heavyweight fight against Tony Yoka.
The 33-year-old is scheduled to fight Frenchman Yoka, a 2016 Olympic champion, in Paris on Saturday, 25 April.
Fight promoter Queensberry said it was told on Monday night by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) that Okolie "returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday".
It said it would provide an update on whether the fight will go ahead "in due course".
Former world champion Okolie said he hoped "sense prevails" as he explained the failed test came after 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 won world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight before moving up to heavyweight in 2024.
He is undefeated in three heavyweight fights and stopped Ebenezer Tetteh last December in his most recent outing.
More boxing from the BBC
Q&A
What were the results of Lawrence Okolie's doping test?
Lawrence Okolie returned an adverse finding from a doping test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
When is the Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka fight scheduled?
The fight between Lawrence Okolie and Tony Yoka is scheduled for April 25 in Paris.
Who is Tony Yoka and what is his background?
Tony Yoka is a French boxer and the 2016 Olympic champion in heavyweight boxing.
