British heavyweight boxer Lawrence Okolie has returned an adverse finding in an anti-doping test, an announcement that came just days before his scheduled ring return, promoter Queensberry confirmed on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old former cruiserweight world champion was due to face France’s 2016 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist Tony Yoka in Paris this Saturday. However, the development has thrown the bout into uncertainty.
In a statement, Queensberry said: “(On Monday), the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Queensberry that Lawrence Okolie returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday,” the promoter said in a statement.
“A further update regarding the event will be made in due course.”
Okolie has maintained that there is no wrongdoing involved, pointing instead to treatment he received while managing an injury.
“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, following my bicep injury last year, I sustained an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp,” he posted on Instagram.
“I had a treatment on it and now we are here. I truly hope sense prevails.
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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.”
Since stepping up to heavyweight at the end of 2024, Okolie has fought three times in the division and won all three contests.
He is currently ranked seventh in the world heavyweight standings by boxing statistics platform Boxrec.
Across his professional career, he holds a record of 23 wins, 17 of them by knockout, with just one defeat.
Following the test result, a press conference scheduled in Paris on Tuesday to promote the fight was cancelled at short notice.
Promoters also indicated they are exploring alternatives, including the possibility of finding a replacement opponent for Yoka, who has 15 wins and three losses as a professional.