BoxRec

The Octopus pissing hot is unexpected. Thought it would be Yoka but they're all at it.

joshj909 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 07:24

golden_labrador wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 05:12 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 remotely relevant British heavyweights that might be available but they're not with Frank.

ZHANG

Adeleye has said he'll take it for the right offer

Olympic revenge for Joe Joyce?

“It’s very, very, very unsatisfactory but it is what it is and we’ve gotta get on with it and make sure we run a show and that’s what we’re trying to do at the moment and find an opponent for Tony Yoka, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to find a British fighter to get in there.”

Why was Okolie even thinking about fighting if he was taking steriods to sort his arm injury out.

joshj909 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 08:10 Adeleye has said he'll take it for the right offer

That’s code for

‘I won’t take it.’

Dont worry the WBC are probably writing a press release all ready clearing him

Adeleye would be a satisfactory replacement, and would actually make for a more entertaining fight than Okolie. He says he is willing if if he receives a suitable offer.

David Adeleye willing to replace Lawrence Okolie and face Tony Yoka

https://www.proboxing-fans.com/adeleye- ... ce-okolie/

The whole cards cancelled.

Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka is officially off, and this Saturday's event in Paris has been cancelled, Queensberry have confirmed.

News broke this morning that Okolie had returned an adverse finding in a VADA anti-doping test leading up to his main event clash with Yoka.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 11:24 The whole cards cancelled.

Very disappointing. Surely they could find a last minute replacement. It’s not like Okolie is a ticket seller in France (or anywhere) or a big name.

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 11:42

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 11:24 The whole cards cancelled.

Very disappointing. Surely they could find a last minute replacement. It’s not like Okolie is a ticket seller in France (or anywhere) or a big name.

Yeh. I’m sure Yoka is still liked in Paris.

They’d still want to see him in action.

The card was mostly French boxers wasn’t it?

Thanks for ruining my Saturday night Lawrence.

Seems pretty odd. Not entirely sure what Frank was planning here. He signed Yoka and then out on an event with him as the home fighter but as an underdog. Then when his opponent pulls out, he cancels the event. Surely that's a financial nightmare. He could've found a lower level opponent and it still would've made some money compared to the losses he's just made. Does he claim it on insurance?

Frank is surely not going to be happy with Okolie.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 11:45

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 11:42

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 11:24 The whole cards cancelled.

Very disappointing. Surely they could find a last minute replacement. It’s not like Okolie is a ticket seller in France (or anywhere) or a big name.

Yeh. I’m sure Yoka is still liked in Paris.

They’d still want to see him in action.

The card was mostly French boxers wasn’t it?

Yeah and decent prospects. Plus Adam Olaniyan the Irish heavy prospect from Ireland.

It’s a decent bill even if they don’t find a top notch replacement for Okolie. Yoka is still a name in France I’m sure they could get David Spilmont or even a no name replacement.

Very disappointing
https://boxrec.com/en/event/944809

can someone explain why they cancelled the whole thing, despite Frank having access to lots of heavyweights?

This is not fair to the other boxers and the French fans.

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?

Adeleye said he was willing if the money was okay, but old "allegedly" is miserly.

As a deterrent, couldn’t a clause be written into main event fighters’ contracts stipulating that if the event is cancelled due to one of them failing a drug test they are liable for the purses and expenses of undercard fighters

It’d never work obviously - the only winners would be the lawyers obstructing and delaying the process ad infinitum - but in an ideal world it would be a good idea

Perkin Warbeck wrote: ↑21 Apr 2026, 12:09 This is not fair to the other boxers and the French fans.

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?

Adeleye said he was willing if the money was okay, but old "allegedly" is miserly.

Out of Allegedly’s heavyweights he definitely could’ve got Dacres, Adeleye. Others either banned, have a big fight lined up, or too big names….
https://queensberry.co.uk/pages/boxers

But definitely could’ve found a body with a half decent record for show. Pretty sure any moderate east European would’ve jumped at the chance to make some money.

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?

Obviously not the right "time" for them to be fighting.
Boxing sucks at times.

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.

there should always be a stand bye fighter for the main event. This crap happens too much