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Yoka’s Paris Main Event Canceled After Okolie Fails Drug Test

DAZN UK’s veto of late replacements triggers Queensberry’s push for a summer Paris date.

Overview

  • Promoters canceled the April 25 Adidas Arena show after Lawrence Okolie returned a positive out‑of‑competition test and DAZN UK refused to approve replacements.
  • Tony Yoka said he will box in May in England on one of Frank Warren’s heavyweight cards, with his opponent still to be confirmed.
  • Frank Warren said he will meet DAZN to set a new Paris event this summer, likely after the World Cup draws TV focus.
  • Yoka agreed to take a smaller purse to face a substitute, yet pay‑per‑view standards on DAZN UK blocked the proposed opponents.
  • Bakary Samaké lost a WBC super‑welter semi‑final and weeks of Las Vegas camp costs, and his team is weighing a late‑May Paris show or selling the bout to another promoter.