Eddie Hearn reflects on Lawrence Okolie’s adverse finding

On April 25, Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka was due to headline a Queensberry Promotions card at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France. On April 21, it was revealed that Okolie had “returned an adverse finding,” following an anti-doping test. It was quickly confirmed that the fight was cancelled. Eddie Hearn has previously promoted Okolie and reflected on the news of the cancelled April 25 show when speaking to The Stomping Ground.

Lawrence Okolie returns ‘adverse finding’

A statement from Queensberry announcing the news 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.”

Speculation quickly began that Queensberry were looking for a replacement, which failed to materialise, and led to a statement from Queensberry which read: “Due to circumstances outside of our control, Queensberry and DAZN have regrettably made the decision to cancel this Saturday’s scheduled event in Paris.”

As reported by BoxingScene, the adverse finding was GHRP 2 and its M8 metabolite. GHRP 2 is a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

Quickly after the news spread, Okolie took to Instagram to claim his innocence:

“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, following my bicep injury last year, I sustained an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp,” read Okolie’s statement on Instagram. “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.”

Eddie Hearn reacts to Lawrence Okolie news

Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Hearn gave his take on the news of Lawrence Okolie’s adverse finding:

“I mean, it’s shocking, obviously, so close to the fight as well. It’s a disaster for Lawrence Okolie, for Tony Yoka, for France, for Queensberry, for DAZN. There’s nothing you can do in that situation. I don’t know why the show was cancelled. It’s difficult to get an opponent with five days to go. I don’t really know anything about it. 

“Didn’t he say that it was an injection for an elbow injury or something? You can’t just randomly put substances inside you without getting permission from doctors and a therapeutic use exemption for an injury like that, which has to go through a real process.

“I worked with Lawrence Okolie. Nothing struck me to believe that this guy is someone that would be cheating, but I don’t have to back him up. I don’t have to put the boot in. We didn’t leave on great terms, but I can tell you that when I worked with him, I wouldn’t have expected him to do that. Like Dave Allen said the other day, when this happens, you’re almost guilty until proven innocent, unfortunately. 

“So, that’s going to be the case for him, and he’s got a massive fight on his hands, because it’s a UKAD incident now, because he’s a British Boxing Board of Control licence holder, and that’s a very long and arduous process. He was in a great position in the heavyweight division, and now he’s fighting for his career. Unfortunately, there is such a thing as contamination and fighters taking supplements with no intention to cheat. 

“Unfortunately, you still have to be responsible for what goes in your body. I get that. I’ve done something wrong here, and this is what’s happened. But again, there’s a route. You’re supposed to have a professional team of people. You don’t just go and get a jab in your arm. I can’t really comment, not my fighter.”