Okolie Fails Drugs Test Before Yoka Fight

British boxer Lawrence Okolie has grounded a doping trial earlier his heavyweight conflict against Tony Yoka.

The 33-year-old is scheduled to conflict Frenchman Yoka, a 2016 Olympic champion, successful Paris connected Saturday, 25 April.

Fight promoter Queensberry said it was told connected Monday nighttime by nan Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) that Okolie "returned an adverse uncovering pursuing an anti-doping trial conducted up of nan show successful Paris this Saturday".

It said it would supply an update connected whether nan conflict will spell up "in owed course".

Former world champion Okolie said he hoped "sense prevails" arsenic he explained nan grounded trial came aft curen for an injury.

"Before anyone starts imagining nan worst, pursuing my bicep wounded past year, I sustained an elbow wounded connected nan aforesaid limb during this camp," Okolie said successful a connection posted connected societal media.

"I had a curen connected it and now we are here. I genuinely dream consciousness prevails.

"I will of people beryllium afloat co-operating pinch each applicable authorities and I'm assured immoderate investigation will clear my name."

Okolie won world titles astatine cruiserweight and bridgerweight earlier moving up to heavyweight successful 2024.

He is undefeated successful 3 heavyweight fights and stopped Ebenezer Tetteh past December successful his astir caller outing.