Lawrence Okolie has suggested that a bicep injury may have been a factor in his recent failed drug test. The former cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion was set to face Tony Yoka in Paris but the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association reported an adverse finding from a pre-fight test. Okolie addressed the issue on social media, explaining that he had previously suffered a bicep injury and later injured his elbow during training. He expressed confidence in clearing his name and pledged full cooperation with the authorities.
Okolie and Yoka both competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, with Yoka winning gold in the super-heavyweight category. Okolie, on the other hand, left the Olympics without a medal. Despite setbacks, Okolie went on to become a world champion in the cruiserweight division before making the move to bridgerweight and eventually heavyweight. He had been on a winning streak before the scheduled bout with Yoka.
In preparation for the fight, Okolie emphasized feeling stronger and more comfortable in the heavyweight division compared to his previous weight classes. He viewed the match as a significant opportunity, likening it to competing for an Olympic gold medal. Okolie acknowledged Yoka’s skills but believed the momentum was in his favor for the upcoming bout.