Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka card cancelled due to adverse finding

The fight card that had Lawrence Okolie vs. Tony Yoka as its main event has now been cancelled.

Queensberry Promotions confirmed the cancellation in a statement posted to their social media channels on Tuesday. The event was scheduled to take place on April 25 at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France.

“Due to circumstances outside of our control, Queensberry and DAZN have regrettably made the decision to cancel this Saturday’s scheduled event in Paris,” read the statement put out by Queensberry Promotions.

Lawrence Okolie’s anti-doping test result resulted in main event cancellation

Earlier on Tuesday, a statement by Queensberry Promotions on their social media channels claimed that an anti-doping test conducted on Okolie “returned an adverse finding.”

“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,” read the statement.

As a result of this, the clash between Okolie and Yoka was cancelled. An attempt was made at finding a replacement opponent for Yoka before the entire event was ultimately cancelled.

According to reporting done 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.

Lawrence Okolie proclaims innocence on social media

Following the announcement that an anti-doping test conducted on him returned an adverse finding, 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.”