Lawrence Okolie failed drugs test sees whole Paris event cancelled as fight card scrapped

Queensberry Promotions have confirmed that the fight card headlined by Lawrence Okolie has been cancelled due to his failed drugs test. The 33-year-old was due to fight Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka in Paris on Saturday, but the fight was scrapped after the heavyweight returned an adverse finding during a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) assessment.

Okolie was looking to stun the Frenchman on home soil to make it three victories at heavyweight and push towards competing for world honours. However, days before the event, the bout was forced to be cancelled following the test results which has led to the entire card being scrapped. 'The Sauce' has vowed to clear his name and says he will fully cooperate with the investigation following the news which emerged on Tuesday (April 21).

The co-main event between Bakary Samake and Ermal Hadribeaj has also been scrapped as a result of the finding. In a statement, the boxing promotion said: "Due to circumstances outside of our control, Queensberry and DAZN have regrettably made the decision to cancel this Saturday's scheduled event in Paris."

Okolie has won each of his last four fights following defeat to Chris Billiam-Smith in the British super-fight at the Vitality Stadium, home of Premier League side Bournemouth. The 33-year-old posted to Instagram after the news regarding his bout, as he moved to dismiss any foul play.

He 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.

"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."

Okolie had his sights on some of the big guns in the division, calling out feared prospect Moses Itauma after his knockout win over Ebenezer Tetteh in December. The Sauce beat Ghanian in two rounds after scoring a knockout before firing shots towards the 21-year-old.

Frank Warren confirmed to talkSPORT that Okolie was suspended from boxing as a result of the adverse finding. It has been said that attempts were made to source a replacement but a deal couldn't be thrashed out days before the fight.

The promoter said: "Under the circumstances he is immediately suspended. He will have to deal with a hearing when they convene a hearing. It is very unsatisfactory."