Anthony Joshua news LIVE: Next fight revealed after Dillian Whyte fails doping test

Close Conor McGregor shadow boxes pub-goers Anthony Joshua is expected to fight a new opponent on Saturday, after opponent Dillian Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test last week. Joshua vs Whyte 2 would have been a rematch eight years in the making, with ‘AJ’ having knocked out his fellow Briton in 2015 to avenge an amateur defeat by Whyte. However, Saturday’s rematch at the O2 Arena in London fell through when Whyte, 35, failed a doping test last week . Whyte has maintained his innocence , while it was initially unclear whether Joshua, 33, would still compete on Saturday. But now his promoter Eddie Hearn has teased an announcement this morning (8 August), with fans expecting to hear that AJ will be fighting a fresh opponent. The former two-time world heavyweight champion last boxed in April, beating Jermaine Franklin on points at the O2 to bounce back from two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk. The unbeaten Ukrainian beat Joshua on points in 2021 to take the unified heavyweight titles, before retaining them against the Briton with another decision win in August 2022. Follow live updates below as Joshua’s new opponent is named. Joshua was due to box Dillian Whyte on Saturday Whyte returned ‘adverse finding’ in drug test last week Joshua vs Whyte off; ‘AJ’ expected to fight new opponent Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn hints at 11am announcement 1691487128 Whyte has vowed to prove his innocence after returning ‘adverse analytical findings’ in the doping test that led to the cancellation of his bout against Joshua this week. Whyte wrote on his social-media channels at the weekend: ‘I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me. ‘I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it. I have also just seen that the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken. ‘I can confirm without a shadow of doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life. I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.’ Whyte served a two-year drugs ban from 2012 to 2014 and was cleared of a doping violation in 2019, after UK Anti-Doping concluded the levels in his sample were ‘very low’ and he was ultimately not to blame. The scheduled rematch against Anthony Joshua next Saturday has been cancelled. Alex Pattle 8 August 2023 10:32 1691486832 Whyte has categorically denied that he took the reported substance and has asked for time to prove his innocence. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association 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 result, leading to the bout being called off and an investigation being launched. Matchroom said: ‘In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted. Further information on the event will follow.’ The bout was due to take place at the O2 Arena in London. Eddie Hearn said Whyte had returned ‘adverse analytical findings’ during a random anti-doping test Alex Pattle 8 August 2023 10:27 1691486504 Anthony Joshua is expected to fight a new opponent on Saturday, after opponent Dillian Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test last week. Joshua vs Whyte 2 would have been a rematch eight years in the making, with ‘AJ’ having knocked out his fellow Briton in 2015 to avenge an amateur defeat by Whyte. However, Saturday’s rematch at the O2 Arena in London fell through when Whyte, 35, failed a doping test last week . Whyte has maintained his innocence , while it was initially unclear whether Joshua, 33, would still compete on Saturday. But now his promoter Eddie Hearn has teased an announcement this morning (8 August), with fans expecting to hear that AJ will be fighting a fresh opponent. The former two-time world heavyweight champion last boxed in April, beating Jermaine Franklin on points at the O2 to bounce back from two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk. The unbeaten Ukrainian beat Joshua on points in 2021 to take the unified heavyweight titles, before retaining them against the Briton with another decision win in August 2022. Follow live updates right here as Joshua’s new opponent is named. Alex Pattle 8 August 2023 10:21