Okolie Tests Positive for Banned Substance Before Yoka Bout

British boxer Lawrence Okolie has tested positive for a prohibited substance in a pre-fight drug test, casting serious doubt on his scheduled heavyweight bout against Tony Yoka in Paris this Saturday.

The 33-year-old Okolie, who was set to headline a Queensberry Promotions card at the Adidas Arena, received the adverse finding from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, according to a statement from his promoter. Queensberry Promotions announced the news on Tuesday, saying it was informed of the result the previous night following a test conducted ahead of the event. "A further update regarding the event will be made in due course," the statement read. No details have been released about the specific substance involved.

Okolie, a former WBO cruiserweight world champion and WBC bridgerweight titleholder, addressed the situation in a post on Instagram shortly after the announcement. He attributed the finding to a treatment for an elbow injury sustained during training camp, which followed a bicep injury from the previous year. "Before anyone starts imagining the worst... I had a treatment on it and now we are here," Okolie wrote. "I truly hope sense prevails. I will of course be...