‘Disappointed’ Tony Yoka gives first reaction to Lawrence Okolie failing drug test and fight being cancelled

Tony Yoka has been left ‘devastated’ by the late cancellation of his homecoming fight with Lawrence Okolie.

The Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist was due to lock horns with Okolie on Saturday night in a WBC heavyweight eliminator bout at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France.

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However, the event was pulled after it was revealed on Tuesday that Okolie had returned an “adverse finding” in a pre-fight drug test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).

The 33-year-old’s A sample came back positive for GHRP 2 and its M8 metabolite.

GHRP 2 is a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

It can accelerate muscle growth, increase strength, enhance injury recovery, reduce body fat, and improve energy levels.

Okolie denied knowingly taking the banned substance and has seemingly blamed his failed test on treatment he received for an elbow injury in camp.

What did Tony Yoka say about the Lawrence Okolie’s failed test?

On Thursday, Yoka joined talkSPORT’s White and Jordan to give his first English-speaking interview on the subject.

“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the Frenchman.

“I was ready; it’s not like it happened a month before. It was three or four days before the fight.

“It was a big opportunity, it would have put me in a really good position [with the WBC]…

“Of course, I am p*****. It was a great fight in Paris, one of the biggest we have produced. It was the premiere of Queensberry in France.

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“I don’t know what he took. I saw that he said that he hopes they will clear his name. I hope he does.

“But when you are taking a test with VADA, you have to tell them what you are taking.

“I’m a professional, you know, that as soon as you are about to take something, you must go on the website and check if it is allowed.

“You don’t wait until four days before the fight and then say you didn’t know.”

Tony Yoka’s own history with suspensions

In 2018, Yoka was slapped with a one-year ban by the French Boxing Federation for missing three doping tests within a 10-month period.

Pressed on whether there is an element of hypocrisy with him criticising Okolie, Yoka responded: “No, because it wasn’t the same thing.

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“The French anti-doping organisation is different to VADA.

“VADA came to his training camp. I missed the three drug tests because I was on holiday after the Olympic Games.

“They tested me before the Olympics, they tested me during the Olympic Games.

“Then, for six months I was an Olympic champion, I was enjoying myself, I was on a tour around the world…

“Now, I pay someone to remind me everyday. Someone calls me at 5 pm to ask where I am going to sleep, so I can give them the address.

“Since that day, I have never missed a drug test.”

When will Tony Yoka return?

Yoka went on to confirm that he had already had conversations with Queensberry Promotions chief executive, George Warren, about fighting in May, either on the Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois undercard on May 9 or the Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic bill on May 16.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.