Okolie to Resume Career After WBC Closes Adverse Finding Case Without Ban

Lawrence Okolie is planning to resume his career after the World Boxing Council closed its adverse finding case against him without imposing a ban or any other sanction. The WBC settled the case with Okolie through an Adjudication Agreement under the WBC Clean Boxing Program.

The WBC issued a joint statement on Friday stating it considered evidence supporting Okolie’s position that a third party caused the prohibited substance to enter his system without his knowledge or consent. Okolie said “Clean sport has always been extremely important to me.”

The World Boxing Council stated that Lawrence Okolie cooperated with its review and provided extenuating evidence supporting his position. Okolie said “I have cooperated fully throughout the process and remain committed to the highest standards of integrity in boxing.”

Okolie returned an adverse finding ahead of his scheduled eliminator with Tony Yoka in April. The contest between Okolie and Yoka, set for Paris, was cancelled while Okolie maintained his innocence.

At the time the fight was cancelled, Okolie was ranked No. 1 at heavyweight by the World Boxing Council. He has a record of 23-1 with 17 knockouts.

In the joint statement, Okolie said: “I look forward to the next chapter of my career and to being actively involved in the sport in the months ahead, while also using this experience to help educate other athletes about the importance of understanding and monitoring everything that enters their bodies.”

As part of the agreed resolution, Okolie must remain open to additional testing and work with the sanctioning body in support of anti-doping education.

What are your thoughts on Lawrence Okolie’s return after the WBC closed his adverse finding case—share in the comments?