Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

[golden_labrador]

I'm going alone here on an Okolie TKO (although this option is understandably not available )

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Twinkle Toes]

Wonder how big Okolie is gonna be, he's put on 5 stone his since his last cruiser fight. Thats an insane amount of weight. Surely he's trimmed himself down a bit for this one.

[SeanBrennan]

He’s referenced being closer to 240 than the 260+ he was

[SeanBrennan]

I'm going alone here on an Okolie TKO (although this option is understandably not available )

Just noticed that haha

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'm going alone here on an Okolie TKO (although this option is understandably not available )

Whoops!

Just realised.

[golden_labrador]

I'm going alone here on an Okolie TKO (although this option is understandably not available )

Whoops!

Just realised.

I'm sticking with Okolie TKO! imagine it says 1 vote up there

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Queensberry have confirmed that Lawrence Okolie returned an adverse finding in a VADA anti-doping test ahead of his scheduled fight against Tony Yoka this Saturday.

A further update on the event is set to follow in due course.

[golden_labrador]

ffs. I was really hoping to see Okolie getting rid of his hugging reputation here

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lawrence Okolie fails drug test before Tony Yoka fight in late chaos as statement released

Lawrence Okolie has returned an adverse finding on a drugs test plunging his fight with Tony Yoka into chaos on the week of the event.

Okolie was set to meet Frenchman Yoka in Paris this weekend in a huge heavyweight clash with high stakes.

The bout has been plunged into chaos and could now be in jeopardy.

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

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.

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 undecided whether alternate proceedings will go ahead.

Heavyweight prospect Adam Olaniyan was set to take on Andre Youmbi Oyen to continue his early professional activity.

And in the chief support, Khalil El Hadri was due to touch gloves with Liborio Solis in a super-bantamweight duel.

The event is set to be packed out by French spectators eager to see Yoka get over the line.

But the home favourite could well now be denied his opportunity and need to seek alternative opposition to try and boost his title chances.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lawrence Okolie fails anti-doping test ahead of Tony Yoka fight planned for Paris on May 25

Lawrence Okolie has failed an anti-doping test ahead of his fight against Tony Yoka this weekend.

Queensberry promotions said on X on Tuesday morning: "Last night, 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.

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

Okolie had been due to fight Olympic gold medallist Yoka in Paris on Saturday.

It was a pivotal contest for the Londoner's career. No 1 ranked with the WBC, Okolie was hoping to position himself for a shot at that heavyweight world championship.

Now that fight will be called off and Okolie has to try to exonerate himself.

Okolie was a world champion at cruiserweight before moving up in weight. He picked up a WBC belt in the new bridgerweight division and was on a run of three victories in his new weight class.

On social media Okolie said: "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."

He added: "I will of course be fully co-operating with all relevant authorities and I'm confident any investigation will clear name.

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

Sky Sports News has contacted VADA for comment.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Okolie returns adverse finding in anti-doping test before Yoka clash

Queensberry have this morning announced that Lawrence Okolie has returned an adverse finding before his DAZN headliner against Tony Yoka in Paris this weekend.

Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs) was slated to box home hopeful Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) in a 12-round contest, headlining Queensberry's latest foray into Europe after success with Agit Kabayel in Germany on January 10.

The promotion shared a statement on social media, which read:

"Last night, 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. A further update regarding the event will be made in due course."

Both returned with knockout victories in Nigeria against overmatched opposition on December 21 before agreeing terms to fight, aware the divisional landscape necessitated a marquee win at a time where world titles will likely fragment again before long and high world rankings with sanctioning bodies would help them gain favor.

Okolie is currently the WBC's No. 1-rated contender for Ring and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk's title he'll defend against Rico Verhoeven on May 23, Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs) meanwhile holds the interim strap.

A WBC junior middleweight title eliminator between Queensberry's new acquisition Bakary Samake (19-0, 11 KOs) and Ermal Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs) is the card's big attraction outside the main event, while Irish heavyweight talent Adam Olaniyan was announced as a late-notice addition to the bill last weekend.

It is unclear whether Samake-Hadribeaj will be elevated to main event billing and the card will continue at the time of publication. The Ring has reached out to Queensberry for confirmation.

This is a developing story, more to follow shortly...

[golden_labrador]

Allegedly calling around trying to find a British heavyweight as a last-minute replacement for Okolie. he's fuming (was briefly on Talksport just now)

[Ruthless-RKO]

On social media Okolie said: "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."

He added: "I will of course be fully co-operating with all relevant authorities and I'm confident any investigation will clear name.

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

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not officially called off yet.

What drug was it I wonder.

[golden_labrador]

Not officially called off yet.

What drug was it I wonder.

Sean Brennan will probably have an idea

[Glass Joe]

Not officially called off yet.

What drug was it I wonder.

Lives up to his nickname the sauce

[SeanBrennan]

Not officially called off yet.

What drug was it I wonder.

Sean Brennan will probably have an idea

Trying to find out now currently don’t have the foggiest mate.

[SeanBrennan]

Mentioned an injury so might go down the TUE route

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lawrence Okolie returns 'adverse' drug test ahead of Tony Yoka clash

British heavyweight Lawrence Okolie has failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drugs test, five days out from his scheduled bout against Tony Yoka, Queensberry Promotions have confirmed.

Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs) was scheduled to fight Frenchman Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) in Paris on Saturday but the fight is now in serious doubt.

allegedly's Queensberry confirmed the news Tuesday.

"Last night [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," a statement said.

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

Former cruiserweight world champion Okolie was looking for a statement victory in Paris against 2016 Olympic gold medallist Yoka.

Following Queensberry's statement, the Brit said in a post on Instagram: "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."

Both Okolie and Yoka were coming off victories in Nigeria in December. The Brit is the WBC's No. 1 ranked heavyweight contender behind champion Oleksandr Usyk and interim title holder Agit Kabayel.

A win against Yoka could have put him in line for a mandatory title fight later in the year.

[joshj909]

Depending on the chemical found, it will either be that he's telling the truth and it's regarding muscle healing, or, what's more likely is that he's been taking PEDs to bulk up from Cruiserweight to heavyweight. If he used a restricted drug to heal an elbow injury then he's an idiot.

[joshj909]

Yoka should still accept the fight. He made such a big deal about being innocent before so surely he should believe Yoka is right? Give him the benefit of doubt? Yoka's probably still on the sauce

[joshj909]

Allegedly calling around trying to find a British heavyweight as a last-minute replacement for Okolie. he's fuming (was briefly on Talksport just now)

Luckily Frank has plenty of heavyweights.

Itauma and Zhang should be able to step in with no notice and win.

Adeleye could also step in, not that he'll necessarily win.

Yoka Vs Joyce for an Olympic gold medal rematch would make most sense if Joyce is in shape.

Hughie and Fisher are the only other remotely relevant British heavyweights that might be available but they're not with Frank.