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.

Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal is reportedly preparing a jaw-dropping €300 million ($333 million) offer to lure French striker Kylian Mbappe away from Paris-Saint Germain (PSG).

The 24-year-old football sensation, who has just one year remaining on his PSG contract, has yet to make a decision on his next club, leaving football fans worldwide on the edge of their seats.

Al-Hilal’s ambitious spending spree this summer has already seen them secure the signings of Kalidou Koulibaly and Rúben Neves from English Premier League clubs, in addition to Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr back in January.

Now, the Saudi club’s sights are set on securing the services of Mbappe, who is undoubtedly considered one of the world’s best players.

The relationship between Mbappe and PSG has hit a rough patch, with the player declining to extend his contract by another year until 2025.

The French striker’s decision not only sparked speculations about a potential move to Real Madrid in Spain but also garnered attention from none other than French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed his desire to persuade Mbappe to stay with the Parisian club.

In response to the uncertainty surrounding Mbappe’s future, PSG announced that he would not be included in the club’s upcoming tour in Asia.

Reports indicate that the club has put him up for sale immediately to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.

Mbappe’s journey to stardom began in 2015 when, at the tender age of 16, he burst onto the scene with Monaco, helping them secure the Ligue 1 championship.

His impressive performances earned him the title of the league’s best young player and laid the foundation for his future accomplishments with PSG. Notably, he played a crucial role in leading the French national team to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

As the football world anxiously awaits Mbappe’s decision, Al-Hilal’s audacious bid has sent shockwaves through the sport, proving once again that they are not afraid to challenge the traditional football hierarchy.

With the prospect of Mbappe’s talent gracing the Saudi Arabian league, football fans are in for a nail-biting wait to see how this extraordinary transfer saga unfolds.

Only time will tell if Al-Hilal’s extraordinary bid will be enough to persuade the young French star to make a groundbreaking move to the Middle East.