British boxer Lawrence Okolie vows to clear his name after failed drugs test

Weekend bout against Tony Yoka now placed in doubt

Fighter cites elbow treatment and hopes ‘sense prevails’

The world heavyweight title contender Lawrence Okolie has pledged to “clear my name” after a failed a drugs test before his bout against Tony Yoka this weekend.

The British fighter, a former cruiserweight world champion who moved up to heavyweight, had been scheduled to face the Frenchman in Paris on Saturday but that event is now in doubt. He is the No 1-ranked contender by the WBC, whose belt is held by Oleksandr Usyk.

In an announcement, the promoter Queensberry wrote: “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. A further update regarding the event will be made it due course.”