The much-anticipated fight between Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua has been called off following an adverse anti-doping test result for Whyte.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) reported the “adverse analytical findings,” leading to the cancellation of the bout. Whyte, however, has denied taking any banned substances and is determined to prove his innocence.

The news came as a shock to both fighters and their fans. Matchroom, the organizing body, issued a statement confirming the cancellation and expressing their commitment to conducting a thorough investigation. Sky Sports News reached out to Whyte’s team for comment, but further details are yet to be disclosed.

Originally scheduled to take place at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, August 12, the bout was expected to draw a massive audience.

Joseph Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, has expressed readiness to step in as a replacement for a rematch with Joshua, presenting an alternative option for the fans.

This setback adds uncertainty to the world of professional boxing and has raised concerns about the prevalence of doping in sports.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent anti-doping protocols to maintain the integrity and fairness of the sport.

In the meantime, the sports community awaits the results of the investigation into Whyte’s case. As his innocence is maintained, the focus will remain on ensuring a clean and competitive environment for all athletes involved in the sport of boxing.

Reacting to the cancellation of his fight with Joshua, Whyte wrote: “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.

“I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all of my fights for many, many years.

“This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time I will again prove that I am completely innocent.

“In the meantime, all I can do is express my extreme disappointment to boxing fans, who will miss out on what was sure to be a great achievement.”

Al Hilal Football Club of Saudi Arabia has made an offer of N117.033 billion or €140 million to Napoli Football Club for their prolific striker, Victor Osimhen.

The bid comes after Napoli and Osimhen failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, leaving the door open for the Nigerian striker’s potential exit from the Serie A league champions.

The recent success of Victor Osimhen and Napoli in clinching the 2022/2023 Italian Scudetto trophy has not gone unnoticed by other big clubs.

Following his stellar performance, Osimhen has emerged as a prime target for football giants such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

The saga took a twist when Aurelio de Laurentis, Napoli’s club president, sought to insert a release clause of €200 million in the new contract.

However, this demand was firmly rejected by Osimhen and his agent, leaving Napoli with no choice but to explore other options.

Sources close to the negotiation revealed that Napoli is now willing to consider offers from other clubs, provided they meet the club’s financial demands.

While Al Hilal’s bid is close to Napoli’s desired amount, the Italian club reportedly seeks a sum exceeding €150 million before parting ways with their lethal striker.

The wages proposed by Al Hilal to lure Osimhen away from Naples are mind-boggling, reaching up to one million pounds or N975 million per week. Such an offer would make Osimhen one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.

Osimhen’s remarkable contributions to Napoli’s Scudetto victory cannot be overstated. Throughout the 2022/2023 Serie A season, he netted an impressive 22 league goals and provided four crucial assists in just 27 games, playing an instrumental role in securing Napoli’s first Scudetto in the 21st century.

The transfer market is abuzz with speculation as to where Osimhen’s future lies. Fans are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations as Napoli faces a significant decision in determining the striker’s destiny.

If the deal with Al Hilal comes to fruition, Napoli will undoubtedly reap the financial benefits, considering they acquired Osimhen from Lille OSC for a club-record fee of €70 million back in the summer of 2020.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has granted Al-Hilal permission to engage in negotiations with Kylian Mbappe, the coveted French forward, following a jaw-dropping world record bid of £259 million.

Mbappe’s future has been up in the air after refusing to extend his contract with PSG, leaving him with just one year remaining. Now, the possibility of joining Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia has emerged, putting him in the company of legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

The news of the massive bid broke on Monday, and it was widely expected that PSG would accept the offer to avoid losing Mbappe for free in the summer of 2024.

Should the deal be finalized, it would eclipse Neymar’s £198 million transfer from Barcelona to PSG, making it the most expensive football transfer in history.

Sources suggest that the lucrative one-year contract on the table could see Mbappe earning an astonishing £600 million.

However, there’s uncertainty about whether he will accept the offer, as his desire for a move to Real Madrid has been no secret.

Al-Hilal might have found a potential solution by possibly inserting a release clause in their contract, allowing Mbappe to fulfill his dream move to Madrid in 2024.

Despite the Al-Hilal opportunity, the race for Mbappe’s signature is far from over. Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all expressed their interest in securing the services of the talented striker.

Manchester United, in particular, seeks to strengthen their attacking options after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund among their targets.

Chelsea, with a disappointing goal tally last season, sees Mbappe as an appealing option, backed by their ambitious owner Todd Boehly. Meanwhile, Tottenham might consider Mbappe as the ideal replacement should Harry Kane depart for Bayern Munich.

Even clubs from across Europe have joined the pursuit, with Barcelona and Inter Milan contacting PSG to express their interest in the French sensation.

A move to Barcelona would undoubtedly be a shocking development given Mbappe’s admiration for their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.

On the other hand, Inter Milan, who made it to the last season’s Champions League final, is eager to bolster their squad after some key departures.

PSG has received a mix of offers, including player-plus-cash deals, making this transfer saga one of the most intriguing and captivating in recent football history.

Fans all over the world eagerly await Mbappe’s decision, as he holds the future of top football clubs in his hands.