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

Who wins?

Poll ended at 25 Apr 2026, 09:10

Okolie - Decision
14
52%
Okolie - T/KO
2
7%
DRAW
2
7%
Yoka - T/KO
4
15%
Yoka - Decision
5
19%
 
Total votes: 27

joshj909
Lightweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by joshj909 »

gilgamesh wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 14:04 Okolie was kinda dull anyway. For an exciting, big name fighter they can come back from something like this, but this might just be the thing that completely killed Okolie's career.

I wouldn't consider him for a big fight anytime in the next few years.
If he gets a ban he's going to be 34-35 by the time he comes back. His heavyweight career would be just about over before it's started.
gilgamesh
Cruiserweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by gilgamesh »

joshj909 wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 14:52
gilgamesh wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 14:04 Okolie was kinda dull anyway. For an exciting, big name fighter they can come back from something like this, but this might just be the thing that completely killed Okolie's career.

I wouldn't consider him for a big fight anytime in the next few years.
If he gets a ban he's going to be 34-35 by the time he comes back. His heavyweight career would be just about over before it's started.
On top of that he's just not particularly exciting so people aren't exactly gonna be waiting on pins and needles for his return.
joshj909
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by joshj909 »

gilgamesh wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 15:09
joshj909 wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 14:52
gilgamesh wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 14:04 Okolie was kinda dull anyway. For an exciting, big name fighter they can come back from something like this, but this might just be the thing that completely killed Okolie's career.

I wouldn't consider him for a big fight anytime in the next few years.
If he gets a ban he's going to be 34-35 by the time he comes back. His heavyweight career would be just about over before it's started.
On top of that he's just not particularly exciting so people aren't exactly gonna be waiting on pins and needles for his return.
And even in top of that, he was beaten pretty handily by CBS. It's not like a gone considers him a huge talent that could beat the best based on his reputation or ability.
gilgamesh
Cruiserweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by gilgamesh »

I think we're both saying the same thing. This is gonna land Okolie in the "Who needs him?" list. Where he'll struggle to get any kind of meaningful fights, and probably won't get any until he's completely washed up if he even gets 'em then.
Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Do we know what he’s taken yet?
keithmoonhangover
Cruiserweight
Posts: 16749
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by keithmoonhangover »

golden_labrador wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 12:09 can someone explain why they cancelled the whole thing, despite Frank having access to lots of heavyweights?
Money.
SeanBrennan
Bantamweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by SeanBrennan »

Porkys Corner did a very fair assessment of it today
Taansend
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by Taansend »

Ruthless-RKO wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 15:48 Do we know what he’s taken yet?
It has since been reported that the adverse finding was for GHRP 2 and its M8 metabolite. GHRP 2 is a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

https://www.BS.com/articles/la ... -tony-yoka
SeanBrennan
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by SeanBrennan »

Taansend wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 16:58
Ruthless-RKO wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 15:48 Do we know what he’s taken yet?
It has since been reported that the adverse finding was for GHRP 2 and its M8 metabolite. GHRP 2 is a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

https://www.BS.com/articles/lawrence-ok ... -tony-yoka
Ah Jesus ghrp2 and ghrp6 are peptides there is no excuse to be using. Those and cjc1295 are widely known as peptides to avoid if you are in any tested sport. He’s got no excuse to this that doesn’t miraculously pop into your system.

I know these compounds well he’s buggered.
SeanBrennan
Bantamweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by SeanBrennan »

They are all growth hormone releasing peptides hence the acronym GHRP. It’s indefensible.
joshj909
Lightweight
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Joined: 01 Dec 2017, 06:16

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

Post by joshj909 »

Even if the doctor prescribed it, it's his responsibility to find out if it's legal in the sport. Especially with a fight coming up. Let's be honest, it's much more likely he's used to to bulk up.
Coco
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Heavyweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by Coco »

He has certainly beefed up since his cruiserweight days!!
Yoko can hardly complain, has been caught himself
joshj909
Lightweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by joshj909 »

Coco wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 17:22 He has certainly beefed up since his cruiserweight days!!
Yoko can hardly complain, has been caught himself
That's why they should've let it still go ahead. Yoka can have a taste of his own medicine
JamesPhilips
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by JamesPhilips »

Okolie is basically finished then right?
Boxerbeetle
Light Heavyweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by Boxerbeetle »

They’re all on it, no doubt whatsoever.
golden_labrador
Super Bantamweight
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by golden_labrador »

"Don't get caught..." the promoter said through gritted teeth
golden_labrador
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by golden_labrador »

JamesPhilips wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 18:06 Okolie is basically finished then right?
or will Eddie Hearn lend him money for a Rolls Royce and new house, then get £15 million offer from Zuffa to fight an injured, over-the-hill, blown-up light heavyweight next?
CaptainSpacerod
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by CaptainSpacerod »

Ironic that a man who famously took up boxing as an obese young man desperate to bring his weight down has now had his career stopped in its tracks because of a desperation to increase his weight.
SeanBrennan
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by SeanBrennan »

CaptainSpacerod wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 19:23 Ironic that a man who famously took up boxing as an obese young man desperate to bring his weight down has now had his career stopped in its tracks because of a desperation to increase his weight.
Ghrp2 isn’t a weight gainer
CaptainSpacerod
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by CaptainSpacerod »

SeanBrennan wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 20:21
CaptainSpacerod wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 19:23 Ironic that a man who famously took up boxing as an obese young man desperate to bring his weight down has now had his career stopped in its tracks because of a desperation to increase his weight.
Ghrp2 isn’t a weight gainer
What advantages would it give him ?
Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Lawrence Okolie’s ‘adverse finding’ leads to complete cancellation for Tony Yoka

Lawrence Okolie will not be replaced as Tony Yoka’s opponent, and the co-promotion of Queensberry Promotions and Francois Samake that was scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled.

England’s Okolie and Yoka, of Paris, France, were to fight at heavyweight at the Adidas Arena in the French Capital until Okolie returned an adverse finding from a drugs test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

It has since been reported that the adverse finding was for GHRP 2 and its M8 metabolite. GHRP 2 is a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

Queensberry’s allegedly, the most influential promoter in the heavyweight division, insisted on Tuesday that he was seeking an alternative British opponent to confront Yoka, like Okolie 33 years old.

The decision has regardless been taken to cancel it entirely, Queensberry have instead confirmed.

“Due to circumstances outside of our control, Queensberry and DAZN have regrettably made the decision to cancel this Saturday’s scheduled event in Paris.

“For refunds, please contact your ticket purchaser.”

Okolie, who trains out of Manchester, England under Joe Gallagher, had by then posted on social media: “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.”

Queensberry had first said in a statement on Tuesday morning: “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.”
Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Could face up to 4 years
jameswilson
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by jameswilson »

Ruthless-RKO wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 15:48 Do we know what he’s taken yet?
The piss for the last 9 years.
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by keithmoonhangover »

jameswilson wrote: 22 Apr 2026, 05:11
Ruthless-RKO wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 15:48 Do we know what he’s taken yet?
The piss for the last 9 years.
:lol: :clap:
SeanBrennan
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Re: Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka | DAZN - 25 April 2026 (CANCELLED)

Post by SeanBrennan »

CaptainSpacerod wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 22:59
SeanBrennan wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 20:21
CaptainSpacerod wrote: 21 Apr 2026, 19:23 Ironic that a man who famously took up boxing as an obese young man desperate to bring his weight down has now had his career stopped in its tracks because of a desperation to increase his weight.
Ghrp2 isn’t a weight gainer
What advantages would it give him ?
Healing and recovery
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