Former Olympic Gold Medalist Tony Yoka Handed One-Year Doping Suspension
According to reports, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Tony Yoka has been handed a one-year suspension by French anti-doping agency AFLD.
French publication L'Equipe reports Yoka missed at least three doping tests and has been handed the suspension. André Martin, the president of the French Boxing Federation, noted Yoka's case in the report and said the suspension came as a result of missing appointments for testing, pointing out that Yoka has not tested positive for any banned substances or PEDs.
Arnaud Pericard, Yoka's lawyer, confirmed the report and was quick to point out that the issue is not related to Yoka committing any doping offenses.
"It is a problem of form and procedure more than of substance. At no time did Tony Yoka attempt to conceal any doping situation, which is what the Federation's Anti-Doping Commission recognized and notified," the translated statement read.
Unfortunately for Yoka, the investigation is not over and further penalties could be handed to the French boxer. On the AFLD's official website, the initial punishment for missing at least three doping tests is 12 months, but then the case gets sent to the French Boxing Federation and the FBF could decide on a max penalty between one and two years.
Yoka, who is 3-0 as a heavyweight boxer, and is scheduled to fight on April 7 against Cyril Leonet. There is no word if the fight is now off. Yoka was recently hired by WBO champion Joseph Parker as a sparring partner to help prepare him for his upcoming heavyweight title unification against Anthony Joshua on March 31.
