Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Drug Test Forces Complete Cancellation of Saturday’s Paris Card

In a stunning turn of events, the entire Saturday night boxing card in Paris has been scrapped. Queensberry Promotions canceled the seven-fight event at the Adidas Arena on Tuesday following an adverse finding in Lawrence Okolie’s performance-enhancing drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

Okolie was scheduled to headline the card against 2016 French Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka in a heavyweight showdown with serious world title implications. As the WBC’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight contender, a win over Yoka would have put Okolie in direct line to challenge interim champion Agit Kabayel.

“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 promotion’s statement. “For refunds, please contact your ticket purchaser.”

Okolie quickly took to social media with an explanation, pointing to treatment he received during training camp for an elbow injury on the same arm where he suffered a biceps tear last year.

“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, following my biceps 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.”

The cancellation is devastating for everyone involved. Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Bakary Samake was set for a co-main event spot, former super flyweight champion Liborio Solis was on the undercard, and fellow Olympian Mourad Aliev was also scheduled to compete. British heavyweight David Adeleye had publicly offered to step in against Yoka, but Queensberry ultimately pulled the plug on the entire show rather than salvage it.

Lawrence Okolie (23-1, 17 KOs) is a former WBO cruiserweight world champion who moved up to heavyweight in 2024 and captured the WBC’s No. 1 ranking with a string of dominant performances. Tony Yoka (15-3, 12 KOs) is a 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Paris who was hoping to use this fight to rebuild toward a world title shot.