The WBC confirmed Friday that Lazizbek Mullojonov will not participate in their Boxing Grand Prix quarterfinals as planned after news broke of the Uzbek heavyweight testing positive for a prohibited substance.

The 26-year-old tested positive for Methasterone, a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid associated with the promotion of rapid muscle growth, increased strength and power during an out-of-competition doping control collection on June 11.

Mullojonov (7-0, 6 KOs) turned professional in 2021, though opted to continue competing in the unpaid ranks and collected Olympic gold in the 92-kg heavyweight category to ensure five of the seven men's categories were won by Uzbekistani boxers.

Three bouts since the turn of the new year suggested Mullojonov was on track to back up his amateur achievements, especially building his stock among fellow untested pros in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but that will no longer be the case.

In a statement on Tuesday, the International Testing Agency confirmed he has the right to request a B-sample analysis and will have the opportunity to "present his explanations for the result," as it will be deemed an anti-doping rule violation.

This development means Morocco's Youness Baalla (2-1-1, 2 KOs), who he outpointed over six rounds on June 21, will step up on short notice for unexpected second opportunity against face U.S. heavyweight Dante Stone (20-1, 13 KOs), of Nebraska.

In the statement, the WBC revealed they have conducted 95 anti-doping tests directly connected to their tournament, which resumes Aug. 13 across four divisions in the Saudi capital streamed live on DAZN and

"There has only been one adverse finding, which is in the final stages of the results management protocol. The WBC CPB's investigation of the circumstances of the adverse finding is ongoing. The WBC will address the outcome of its investigation and the appropriate measures it takes once the results management process is concluded," the statement read.