British heavyweight boxer Lawrence Okolie has been plunged into controversy after failing a drugs test just days before his scheduled showdown with Tony Yoka.
The former world champion was due to headline a major card in Paris this weekend, but the fight is now in serious doubt following an adverse finding from a pre-bout test.
Promoters confirmed the result came from VADA testing, leaving Okolie facing a potential suspension while the case is investigated.
The 33-year-old has strongly denied any wrongdoing and moved quickly to defend himself after the shock news broke.
In a statement, Okolie said: “Before anyone starts imagining the worst… I sustained an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp.”
He suggested the failed test may be linked to treatment he received for that injury, adding: “I had a treatment on it and now we are here.”
Okolie also insisted he is cooperating fully with authorities and expects to be cleared.
“I truly hope sense prevails,” he said.
“I will of course be fully cooperating with all relevant authorities and I’m confident any investigation will clear my name.”
Despite his response, the situation has thrown Saturday’s fight into chaos, with organisers now scrambling to find a replacement opponent for France’s Yoka.
The bout had been seen as a crucial step in Okolie’s push to establish himself as a serious contender in the heavyweight division.
Instead, he now faces a potentially career-threatening setback, with anti-doping authorities set to determine whether any violation occurred.
If found guilty, Okolie could be hit with a lengthy ban which would be a huge blow at a key moment in his career.
For now, his immediate future remains uncertain, with the Paris fight hanging by a thread and his reputation under intense scrutiny.
