Lawrence Okolie has tested positive for a banned substance ahead of his scheduled heavyweight clash with Tony Yoka.
Promoter Queensberry confirmed the failed test on Tuesday, just days before the fight, though no further details about the substance or the status of the event were provided. Okolie, a former cruiserweight world champion now competing at heavyweight, had entered the contest as the WBC’s No. 1-ranked contender.
In a statement posted on social media, Okolie said he would cooperate fully with the investigation and expressed confidence in clearing his name. “I will of course be fully cooperating with all relevant authorities and I’m confident any investigation will clear my name,” he wrote.
The 33-year-old now faces a potential ban of up to four years unless he can demonstrate he was not at fault. Okolie also referenced recent injury issues, explaining that he had suffered a bicep injury last year and sustained an elbow injury during the current training camp, for which he received treatment.
The test was conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association ahead of the event. His opponent Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, has previously served a one-year suspension in 2018 after failing to provide doping samples.
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