Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte’s rematch has been cancelled.

By: Simtho Dladla

Anthony Joshua’s upcoming fight with Dillian Whyte has been called off after a random anti-doping test on Whyte returned “adverse findings”.

A statement by the fight promoter, Matchroom Sport said: ”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. In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted,” the statement added.

The bout had been due to take place at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday 12 August. However, those plans have now been shelved after it emerged that Whyte had failed a drugs test, promoters Matchroom Sport being informed. Whyte lost his unbeaten 16-fight record when he was stopped by Joshua at the O2 Arena in 2015 when contesting for the vacant British heavyweight title.

The rematch was announced in July after talks over Joshua taking on Tyson Fury broke down.