Dillian Whyte’s fight against Anthony Joshua has been cancelled, with Matchroom Boxing confirming a random anti-doping test on Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings”.
A statement from Matchroom on Saturday night read: “Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.
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“In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted. Further information on the event will follow.”
Joshua and Whyte were scheduled to fight at The O2 in London on August 12, marking the first time the pair had stepped in the ring since Joshua’s seventh-round stoppage win in 2015.
It is unclear at this stage whether Joshua will look for a replacement opponent or simply now look forward towards a potential fight with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia early next year.
Meanwhile, it is also unknown what the news means for the rest of the fight card.
Australian Demsey McKean, for instance, was slated to take on Filip Hrgovic on the undercard.
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