Queensberry canceled Saturday’s Paris boxing card after Lawrence Okolie returned an unfavorable drug test result, ending efforts to keep the event alive with a replacement opponent for Tony Yoka. The decision leaves Yoka without a scheduled fight and wipes out the full show just days before it was due to take place.
The card was built around the heavyweight encounter between Okolie and Yoka, a fight that was important to both men. Okolie was looking for a much-needed win after an uneven period since moving up, while Yoka looked to continue rebuilding his professional career.
Those plans changed when Queensberry confirmed that the Paris meeting would no longer go ahead after the failed test involving Okolie. There was brief talk of a late replacement for Yoka, with British heavyweight David Adeleye publicly stating he would be willing to step in if the terms were right.
That possibility has now ended with the full cancellation of the show.
The biggest immediate sports setback could fall on Yoka. The 2016 Olympic gold medalist headlined in front of a home crowd and used the fight as another chance to rebuild momentum after the toughest stretch of his professional run.
Instead, he now goes back to waiting for a new date and a new opponent.
The cancellation also affects the undercard fighters, trainers and support teams who were preparing for the event and were only days away from competing.
Queensberry has yet to confirm whether any of the scheduled matches will be moved to another date or card. For now, the Paris show is over, and the focus turns to what comes next for Yoka and the heavyweight division.
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Last updated on 2026/04/21 at 11:19
