Undefeated heavyweight Tyrone Spong tested positive for a banned substance, and he will not fight former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com
“My thought is it’s bad because people are trying to use a shortcut and cheat and the other side of the fight is working so hard. It’s completely disrespectful,” Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager, told ESPN. “Usyk wasn’t very happy when he found out, of course. He prepared hard for this fight and the other side is trying to cheat and take a shortcut.
“We have been contacted by VADA to inform us that there has been an adverse finding in Tyrone Spong’s test,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. “It has been sent to the State of Illinois commission and further information will be released [on Tuesday] morning. We have reserve opponents standing by.”
Hearn did not want to disclose any of the possible replacement opponents because he was still negotiating with them, but he told ESPN he is in talks with “three or four” fighters.
Klimas said whomever Hearn can line up, Usyk will fight.
“He’s been preparing for a long time. We will fight anyone who is willing to fight,” Klimas said.
