Anthony Joshua’s bout with Dillian Whyte has been cancelled, after a random anti-doping test on Whyte came back with “adverse analytical findings”.
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) said it had informed the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that a “random anti-doping protocol” undertaken by Whyte had returned the adverse findings.
Matchroom said in a statement: “In light of this news, the fight has been cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.” Sky Sports News have contacted Whyte’s team for comment.
Whyte took to social media to deny taking the reported substance and vowed to prove that he was “completely innocent”.
The fight had been due to take place at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, August 12. Joseph Parker’s promoter David Higgins has said his fighter would step in as a replacement for a rematch with Joshua.
The pair met in Cardiff 2018 when Joshua inflicted the first loss of Parker’s heavyweight career, beating the New Zealand native by unanimous decision.