Lawrence Okolie fails drug test with Tony Yoka fight called off as late replacement sought

Lawrence Okolie has returned an adverse finding on a drugs test, and a replacement is being sought to face Tony Yoka this weekend.

Okolie was set to meet Frenchman Yoka in Paris on Saturday night in a huge heavyweight clash with high stakes.

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‘The Sauce’ was looking to put himself in the position to try and push for world honours in the coming months.

But his bid has been abandoned on fight week, after it was revealed that Okolie has failed a drugs test.

Queensberry Promotions released a statement which read: “Last night the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed Queensberry that Lawrence Okolie had returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris on Saturday.

“A further update regarding the event will be made in due course.”

Okolie has since released a statement of his own on social media.

It read: “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. I 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.

“I won’t be making any further comment at this time. Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”

A dramatic late inquest will likely now be undertaken from all parties.

Frank Warren – Okolie is suspended and replacement search underway

Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren has since confirmed that Okolie has been suspended.

And he has suggested that a British replacement search is now underway.

He explained to talkSPORT: “Under the circumstances he is immediately suspended.

“He will have to deal with a hearing when they convene a hearing. It is very unsatisfactory.

“We are trying to find a replacement for Tony Yoka, I’m trying to find a British replacement.

“If we can’t find an opponent, we will have to consider postponing the show.”

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Okolie is the current WBC silver heavyweight champion, and was set to make his fourth appearance in the division.

The British boxing star has won titles in two weight classes, having reigned as WBO cruiserweight champion for a lengthy period.

But his stint at 200lbs ended after he was beaten in a domestic dust-up with Chris Billam Smith in May 2023.

Okolie then went on to win a world title in the newly formed Bridgerweight division, beating Lukasz Rozanski to capture the WBC belt.

He has since been on a positive run after bulking up massively to compete in the blue-riband division.

His debut saw him emphatically knock out Husein Muhamad inside one round in December 2024, before outpointing Kevin Lerena eight months later.

Boxing schedule

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

Okolie then travelled to Africa where he took on and stopped Ebenezer Tetteh through quickfire fashion in his last outing in December of last year.

Several other members of top talent are due to compete on the show, and it is currently up in the air as to whether alternate proceedings will go ahead.