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Lawrence Okolie failed a drug test, meaning the entire Paris event was canceled due to fight card being thrown out

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Queensberry Promotions has confirmed that the fight headlined by Lawrence Okolie has been canceled due to a failed drug test. The 33-year-old was scheduled to fight Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka in Paris on Saturday, but the fight was canceled after the heavyweight fighter presented an unfavorable assessment by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

Okolie wanted to stun the Frenchman on home soil to secure three heavyweight victories and push him towards contention for world titles. However, days before the event, the fight was forced to be canceled due to test results, leading to the entire card being scrapped. “The Sauce” has vowed to clear its name and says it will fully cooperate with the investigation following the news that broke on Tuesday (April 21).

As a result of this arrangement, the co-main event between Bakary Samake and Ermal Hadribeaj was also canceled. In a statement, the boxing organization said: “For reasons beyond our control, Queensberry and DAZN have regretfully decided to cancel the gala in Paris scheduled for Saturday.”

Okolie has won each of his last four fights after losing to Chris Billiam-Smith in a British superfight at the Vitality Stadium, home of Premier League side Bournemouth. The 33-year-old posted on Instagram following the news regarding his fight, wishing to deny any foul play.

He said: “Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s biceps injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp. I underwent treatment and now here we are. I really hope common sense prevails.”

“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name. I will not be making any further comments at this time. Thank you for all your support and I will see you soon.”

Okolie had several of the division’s top fighters in his sights after a knockout victory over Ebenezer Tetteh in December, citing feared prospect Moses Itauma. The Sauce defeated Ghanian in two rounds, after knocking out and firing shots at the 21-year-old.

Frank Warren confirmed to talkSPORT that Okolie has been suspended following unfavorable findings. It is said that attempts were made to find a replacement, but a deal could not be reached in the days before the fight.

The promoter said: “Under the circumstances he is suspended immediately. He will face a hearing when the hearing is called. This is very unsatisfactory.”

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UK Boxing

Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis – how to watch it

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Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

On Saturday in Brooklyn, Xander Zayas will defend his WBO and WBA super welterweight world titles against Jaron Ennis.

Zayas (23-0, 13 KO) will face former welterweight champion Ennis (35-0, 31 KO) at the Barclays Center.

Zayas unified the division in his last outing in January, adding Abbas Baraou’s WBA crown to his WBO title in his native Puerto Rico.

The 23-year-old extended his undefeated record to 23 consecutive professional victories.

Ennis is trying to become a world champion in two weight classes, having previously reigned as the unified champion at 147 pounds.

The 28-year-old made his debut at 154 pounds in October blowing away Uisma Lima in the first round in his hometown of Philadelphia, improving his undefeated record to 35-0.

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Zayas vs Ennis – date, place, start time and ring walk
  • The fight between both fighters will take place on Saturday, June 27, live at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Modern York
  • Broadcast will start at 8pm ET/5pm PT/1am BST (Sunday)
  • Main event will start around 10:45 PM ET / 7:45 PM PT / 3:45 AM BST (Sunday)
Zayas vs. Ennis – how to watch
  • The card can be watched live worldwide on DAZN
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Zayas vs. Ennis – last three fights

Xander Zayas

  • Xander Zayas bt Abass Baraou – split decision
  • Xander Zayas bt Jorge Garcia Perez – unanimous decision
  • Xander Zayas bt Sława Spomer – TKO in the 9th round

Jaron Ennis

  • Jaron Ennis bt Uisma Lima – TKO in the 1st round
  • Jaron Ennis bt Eimantas Stanionis – 6th round RTD
  • Jaron Ennis bt Karen Chukhadjian – unanimous decision
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Zayas vs Ennis – Undercard
  • Emiliano Vargas (17-0, 14 KO) vs. Bryce Mills (22-1, 9 KO) – WBC USA Silver, WBO Latino, NABF Junior junior titles (10 rounds)
  • Ben Whittaker (11-0-1, 8 KO) vs. Richard Rivera (27-2, 20 KO) – WBC silver airy heavyweight title (10 rounds)
  • Jahi Tucker (16-1-1, 7 KO) vs. Euri Cedeno (14-0-1, 12 KO) – IBF North American, WBC USA, WBO NABO middleweight titles (10 rounds)
  • Dennis Thompson (10-0, 6 KO) vs Edwin Rodriguez (12-11-3, 5 KO) – super bantamweight (8 rounds)
  • Quincey Williams (6-0, 6 KO) vs Jerome Baxter (8-1, 3 KO) – welterweight (8 rounds)
  • Juanma Lopez De Jesus (5-0, 2 KO) vs. Alberto Motos (6-2) – super flyweight (6 rounds)

The post Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis – how to watch it appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – how to watch it

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Donovan was disqualified after dropping Crocker after the bell. Photo: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing

Lewis Crocker returns to the ring this week and faces Liam Paro.

Paro is Crocker’s first defense IBF welterweight world title.

He has been out of the ring since September 2025, when he appeared in the long-awaited rematch with Paddy Donovan.

After falling behind before the first fight was stopped due to Donovan’s disqualification, he entered the second fight as an underdog.

Donovan was disqualified after dropping Crocker after the bell. Photo: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing

“The Croc” put on a great performance and proved the bookies wrong by taking down and dropping Donovan multiple times throughout the fight.

With the victory, Crocker became the IBF world champion in his hometown of Belfast.

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

His opponent, Paro, has only one defeat to his name. It came against Richardson Hitchins in 2024, when he was on the wrong side of a split decision.

Since that loss, he has picked up two victories, defeating Jonathan Navarro and most recently David Papot, who will be Harlem Eubank’s next opponent in July.

Crocker celebrates after defeating Felix. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Crocker celebrates after defeating Felix. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Crocker vs Paro – date, place, start time and ring walk
  • The pairs fight will take place on Wednesday, June 24, live from the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, Australia
  • Broadcast will start at 8:00 BST / 3:00 ET / 12:00 PT
  • The main event will start around 1:00 p.m. BST / 8:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 a.m. PT
Crocker vs. Paro – how to watch
  • The pass can be watched live on Kayo Sports in Australia and DAZN in the UK
Crocker vs. Paro – last three fights

Lewis Crocker

  • Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan – split decision
  • Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan – disqualification
  • Lewis Crocker vs. Conah Walker – unanimous decision

Liam Paro

  • Liam Paro vs David Papot – unanimous decision
  • Liam Paro bt Jonathan Navarro – 5th round RTD
  • Richardson Hitchins bt Liam Paro – split decision
Crocker vs. Paro – Undercard
  • Dempsey McKean vs Liam Talivaa – vacant IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight title (10 rounds)
  • Luke Modini vs. Peng Qu – cruiserweight (10 rounds)
  • Riley Candy vs. Nathan Watson – super middleweight (5 rounds)
Hrgovic stopped McKean in the final round. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Hrgovic stopped McKean in the final round. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
  • Vegas Larfield vs Shamal Ram Anuj – featherweight (5 rounds)
  • Nelson Asofa-Solomon vs. George Burgess – heavyweight (4 rounds)
  • Jack Javed vs Lance McDonald – super welterweight (4 rounds)
  • Stevan Ivic vs Caleb Tialu – heavyweight (4 rounds)

The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – how to watch it appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi – results and post-fight report

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Last time in Southampton, Ryan Garner won. Photo credit: Queensberry/Instagram

Ryan Garner moved one step closer to world honors at the home of his beloved Southampton FC, winning the WBC interim super featherweight title following a big-point victory over Michael Magnesi on the South Coast.

Collect it started well, pinning Magnesi to the ropes in the opener.

He landed an eye-catching hook in the second round. Magnesi enjoyed a solid third goal though as both men had forceful shots.

Magnesi’s best round was the fourth, which he finished forceful, but Garner landed in the fifth and continued to dominate the half.

Garner seemed unfazed and immediately went back on the offensive, hitting the Lazio player twice in a row in the fifth round.

Last time in Southampton, Ryan Garner won. Photo credit: Queensberry/Instagram

Garner actually slowed down after half the distance, but in the ninth period he got his second wind when he went on the attack and somehow managed to finish the round.

From that moment on, the Italian was in survival mode and after some difficulties he reached the final gong, where the result was beyond doubt.

Scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112 secured the title for Garner.

Ryan Garner had a dominant performance for Southampton. Photo credit: Queensberry/Instagram
Ryan Garner had a dominant performance for Southampton. Photo credit: Queensberry/Instagram
Brad Pauls vs. Bradley Goldsmith fight

On the card below, Brad Pauls (21-3-1, KO12) suffered a bad defeat and was eliminated in the sixth round, ten rounds behind Bradley Goldsmith (16-1, KO10).

Goldsmith won Pauls’ IBF International middleweight title by two scores of 99-90 and a third card of 97-92.

Undercard remaining

Lewis Edmondson (12-1, KO3) scored the best victory of his career, and the featherlight heavyweight fighter won a ten-round decision over Lyndon Arthur (25-4, KO16).

Scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 96-95 ensured victory for local boy Edmondson.

In the last ten-round fight, Taylor Bevan (9-0, KO8) went the distance for the first time in his life, and the super middleweight won a majority decision over Ryszard Lewicki (12-4-3, KO5).

Bevan twice scored 97-94 and the third was 95-95.

In eight rounds, Lasha Guruli (4-0, KO1) defeated Super Lightweight Liam Dillon (16-6-1, KO3) by one point in the final round, and cruiserweight hopeful Iman Zahmatkesh (6-0, KO4) defeated Franklin Arinze (10-2, KO7) 77-74.

In the super featherweight division, Charlie Senior (5-0, KO2) defeated Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce (18-23-2, KO7) 79-73.

In six-round fights, Mason Payne (6-0, KO2) defeated Cheikh Diop (6-1, KO4) in the super welterweight division, and in the super featherweight division, Leighton Birchall (5-0, KO3) did the same to Cesar Ignacio Paredes (18-36-1, KO5).

Prospective featherweight contender William Birchall (5-0, KO5) won again early, this time after stopping Miroslav Prochazka (8-18, KO6) in the first round.

The only winner of the second round in the heavyweight division was Adam Olaniyan (2-0, KO2) defeating Viktar Chvarkou (6-34, KO3).

Olaniyan played in his second professional appearance. Photo source: Queensberry/instagram
Olaniyan played in his second professional appearance. Photo source: Queensberry/instagram

The post Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi – results and post-fight report appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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