Will Lawrence Okolie fight Tony Yoka? British heavyweight fails drugs test days before Paris boxing bout

TL;DR

Lawrence Okolie has failed a drugs test just days before his scheduled fight against Tony Yoka in Paris. This situation raises questions about the future of the bout and Okolie's standing in the heavyweight division.

Key points

Lawrence Okolie failed a drugs test days before his fight
The fight against Tony Yoka is now in jeopardy
Okolie is a WBO heavyweight champion

Lawrence OkolieTony Yoka

Lawrence Okolie

Will Lawrence Okolie fight Tony Yoka? British heavyweight fails drugs test days before Paris boxing bout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Lawrence Okolie was hoping to make his own statement on the crowded British heavyweight landscape this weekend against 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka.

WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley faces compatriot Daniel Dubois on May 9 at Manchester's Co-op Live, where rising star Moses Itauma demolished American Jermaine Franklin last month.

Okolie was ringside for that contest and was theoretically a straightforward fight to make for either Itauma, Wardley or Dubois as all four operate under Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions banner.

However, the 33-year-old's immediate plans and his wider future in boxing have now been thrown into flux.

MORE:Moses Itauma tells brutal truth about heavyweight boxing

Will Lawrence Okolie fight Tony Yoka?

Okolie's fight with Yoka is set to be cancelled after the Londoner returned an adverse analytical finding in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test ahead of the bout.

A statement from Queensberry on Tuesday morning read: "Last night, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed Queensberry that Lawrence Okolie returned an adverse finding conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday. A further update regarding the event will be made in due course."

Q&A

What were the reasons behind Lawrence Okolie's failed drugs test?

The specific reasons for Lawrence Okolie's failed drugs test have not been disclosed, but it has led to uncertainty regarding his upcoming fight.

How does Lawrence Okolie's failed drugs test affect his fight with Tony Yoka?

Lawrence Okolie's failed drugs test puts his fight against Tony Yoka in jeopardy, potentially leading to cancellation or postponement.

What is the significance of the fight between Lawrence Okolie and Tony Yoka?

The fight is significant as it involves two prominent heavyweights, with Okolie aiming to establish his position in the competitive British heavyweight scene.