Frank Warren addresses Lawrence Okolie failed drug test fallout

British heavyweight Lawrence Okolie faces a formal anti-doping procedure following a failed drug test that caused the cancellation of his bout against Tony Yoka in Paris last week.

Promoter Frank Warren has described the adverse Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) result as a massive disappointment for Queensberry Promotions.

The collapsed headline event leaves the 33-year-old fighter sidelined as he awaits official hearings with UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control.

Medical treatment to blame

The former world champion took to social media to vigorously deny intentional doping.

He claimed the adverse finding stems from medical treatment received for an elbow injury sustained during his recent training camp.

I truly hope sense prevails. I will of course be fully cooperating with all relevant authorities and I am confident any investigation will clear my name.

Lawrence Okolie

Due process and B-sample protocol

Speaking to the media, his veteran promoter outlined the strict regulatory steps that must now follow before any potential return to the ring.

He will eventually present his B sample, and then depending on the outcome of that, if it matches the A sample, then he is going to have to give an explanation.

Frank Warren

The experienced London boxing chief acknowledged the frustrating situation but insisted standard investigative procedures must run their complete course.

Heavyweight ambitions stalled

The Hackney-born fighter boasts a professional record of 23 victories and just one defeat, having successfully transitioned to the premier weight class with three consecutive wins.

His only career loss came at the hands of former training partner Chris Billam-Smith, who ended his cruiserweight title reign in 2023.

This latest controversy heavily stalls the momentum built from his second-round stoppage victory over Ebenezer Tetteh in Nigeria last December.