Daniel Dubois’ promoter has confirmed that ‘Triple D’ is enrolled in drug testing ahead of his upcoming clash with Anthony Joshua.
On Tuesday night, AJ’s management team, 258MGT, posted on X: “Evening @Queensberry… any update on why @DynamiteDubois isn’t signed up for @Vada_Testing yet??”
Joshua’s next fight will be against Daniel Dubois on September 21Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
According to Boxing Scene, DDD’s promoters told 258MGT via email, shortly before their tweet, that they were in the process of finalising Dubois’ enrolment in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug-testing programme.
On Wednesday morning, Queensberry replied: “Daniel is enrolled as VADA will confirm.”
Dubois is set to defend his IBF heavyweight title for the first time against Joshua on September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
As the fight is taking place under the auspices of the British Boxing Board of Control, Joshua and Dubois will be subject to random drug testing from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).
But as is often the case with big fights, both competitors have also agreed to sign up for VADA testing to add an additional layer of scrutiny.
Neither boxer has ever failed a drug test during their careers while both have signed up for VADA testing in the past.
Joshua is a big advocate for random drug testing and believes every professional boxer should be enrolled in a stringent anti-doping programme.
Last year, he said: “I don’t understand how 60 per cent to 70 per cent of people can get away with doping if you get random drug tests? I get drug-tested all year round.
British star Dubois is the reigning IBF heavyweight championCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
“Every quarter, I have to submit my whereabouts, where I’m going to be every day, at what hour of the day, so [drug testers] can turn up randomly if they want.
“It’s been like that since 2011. I’ve submitted it every day of my life. So why am I under that pressure, but 60 per cent to 70 per cent of other boxers aren’t?
“Once you sign up to a top-tier promoter they should all have that [approach to random testing] as part of the deal.”
Several of AJ’s former opponents have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs before and after fights with him.
Jarrell Miller returned adverse findings for three different banned substances in 2019, leading to their bout getting cancelled.
Meanwhile, Robert Helenius failed a pre-fight VADA drug test ahead of his seventh-round knockout loss to Joshua last year.
Helenius stepped in on short notice to replace Dillian Whyte, who had also failed a drug test before his rematch with Joshua.
However, ‘The Body Snatcher’ has since been cleared by the Texas Boxing Commission after the adverse findings were revealed to have been caused by a contaminated supplement.