Frank Warren’s Disappointment Over Okolie’s Drug Test
Frank Warren, the promoter behind Lawrence Okolie, expressed his deep disappointment regarding the recent situation surrounding Okolie’s positive drug test, which led to the cancellation of his highly-anticipated bout against Tony Yoka. The match, scheduled for last Saturday in Paris, fell apart just days prior on Tuesday when it was revealed that Okolie had registered an adverse result in a drug screening. The news of the failed test came from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, as announced by Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, the organizing entity of the fight.
Okolie’s Response to Fans
Following the incident, the former cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion, Okolie, addressed his fans via social media. He clarified that he suffered an elbow injury on the same arm that had previously been injured in a bicep incident last year while training. He expressed optimism that the matter would resolve favorably, stating:
“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.”
Warren’s Reflection on the Situation
In a discussion with The Independent and other media earlier this week, Warren reflected on the situation as a “very, very big disappointment” but acknowledged that the process must unfold as dictated by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control. He emphasized that Okolie will have the opportunity to present his B sample, and if it aligns with the A sample, the boxer would then need to provide an explanation.
Okolie’s Fight History
As of now, Okolie’s fight history stands at 23 wins, with 17 by knockout and just one loss. He last competed in December, securing a victory against Ebenezer Tetteh in Nigeria. This incident marks a significant bump in the road for Okolie, who had been on a successful trajectory in the heavyweight division after moving up from cruiserweight, where he held the WBO title before his only career defeat to Chris Billam-Smith in 2023.
