British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua experienced an unexpected interruption during a private dinner in Dubai on Thursday night, when officials from the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) arrived unannounced to conduct a routine drug test.
Joshua was dining at a luxury restaurant alongside his long-time promoter, Eddie Hearn, reportedly discussing plans for his next fight, when the anti-doping officers showed up. The moment quickly turned into a spectacle as Hearn captured the incident on video and shared it on social media.
“Most tested fighter of all time. Hasn’t boxed for a year. Out for dinner in Dubai and UKAD rock up,” Hearn captioned the footage. In the clip, Hearn can be heard remarking: “Just want to say, unbelievable scenes. UKAD turn up.” The camera then pans to Joshua, who responded with humor, flexing his arm and joking: “Ed, they must have seen my chin-ups.”
As the official anti-doping partner of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), UKAD holds the authority to test any licensed fighter at any time, regardless of location. This includes surprise visits that can require samples of urine, venous blood, or dried blood spots. Boxers are also mandated to declare their whereabouts whenever they travel abroad, making such drop-ins a common part of their careers.
Joshua, a two-time former world champion, has not stepped into the ring since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September last year. Despite the hiatus, he remains firmly in the testing pool as preparations continue for his much-anticipated return.
The incident highlights the strict anti-doping measures in place to maintain the integrity of professional boxing, even if it means gatecrashing a dinner halfway across the world.