New York, USA – Undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is looking for a last-minute replacement challenger after losing a scheduled ring rival to doping for the second time in his career.
Poland's Andrzej Wawrzyk, who was set to fight Wilder in his home region Birmingham, Alabama on February 25, failed a doping test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
ESPN reported that Wawrzyk tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol in urine tests conducted from January 15-16 in Warsaw, Poland.
Lou DiBella, Wilder's promoter, vowed the February 25 card will be staged with a new rival.
"BronzeBomber WILL defend @WBCBoxing HW Title in #Birmingham, 2/25. Stay tuned. Proud to promote a clean Champ!" he tweeted.
Last May, Wilder was set to face Russia's Alexander Povetkin at Moscow, but a positive doping test for the challenger less than two weeks before the planned bout led to the fight being canceled.
Wilder, 31, instead fought his fourth title defense against countryman Chris Arreola last July and stopped him in the eighth round, improving to 37-0 with 36 knockouts.
Britain's Anthony Joshua, the unbeaten International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion, will fight former champion Wladimir Klitschko in April at London's Wembley Stadium for the IBF and vacant WBA crowns.
New Zealand's Joseph Parker captured the WBO version of the crown last month.