▪️”I didn’t dope as alleged…I took medication to treat an injury without knowing it was among the prohibited medications,” says Dolapo to put the record straight.
August 20, 2026
The heavy, golden dreams of Paris dissolved into the sterile scent of a pharmacy.
Nigerian featherweight powerhouse Omole Dolapo aka King Machine was on top of the world. He had just punched his ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games, capping off a blistering rise that left the African boxing circuit trembling.
First came a breakout bronze at the 2023 African Championships in Cameroon. Then, a devastating gold-medal run at the Olympic Qualifiers in Senegal. By the time he crushed his way to gold at the African Games in Ghana, Dolapo wasn’t just a contender—he was a nightmare for anyone stepping into the ring at featherweight.
In the professional ranks, he was just as terrifying: 10 fights, 10 wins, all by knockout.
Then, his knees buckled. Not from a punch, but from an injury—and a catastrophic mistake.
When Dolapo vanished from the Paris 2024 roster, the official reason given was a knee injury. But behind the scenes, whispers of a doping scandal swirled, casting a dark cloud over Nigeria’s boxing star.
Now, with an indefinite suspension finally behind him, the big-punching fighter is breaking his silence to clear his name.
“The mistake is mine, and I want to make it clear I didn’t dope,” Dolapo revealed in an exclusive interview with boxersworld.co.ke. “I took a medication unknowingly, not knowing it was among the banned ones by WADA.”
Desperate to heal his aching knee before the biggest stage of his life, Dolapo took the wrong medicine. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) flagged it. The dream was over before it began.
“This was the lowest point in my boxing career. I was so disappointed,” Dolapo admitted. His absence, alongside fellow Nigerian star Cynthia Ogunsemilore—who was also ruled out in Paris due to positive doping test—left a massive void. Of Nigeria’s top qualified fighters, only heavyweight Adam Olaore made it to the canvas in Paris, exiting early in a 5-0 loss to Kazakhstan’s 2025 WB world super-heavyweight Albek Oralbay.
The Nigerian star boxer Dolapo shared his statement with boxersworld.co.ke
Here it is:”I want to be open about it because I believe honesty is important.
“I was taking medication for a medical condition and, unfortunately, I later realized that it contained a substance that is prohibited under the anti-doping rules. It was never my intention to gain any unfair advantage or enhance my performance. I took the medication for treatment, not for boxing performance.
“As athletes, we are responsible for everything we put into our bodies, and I accept that responsibility. Looking back, I should have been more careful and ensured that every medication I took was checked against the anti-doping regulations before using it.
“The consequence was heartbreaking because it cost me the opportunity to compete at the Paris Olympics, something I had worked towards for many years. It was one of the most disappointmenting moments of my career, but it also taught me a valuable lesson. Since then, I have become much more careful about every medication or supplement I use, and I remain fully committed to competing clean and earning success the right way.”
The heartbreak didn’t stop there. Bureaucratic hurdles later locked Dolapo out of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“I would have won Nigeria a gold medal in lightweight if I was there,” he said, the confidence in his voice still sharp.
“Having watched the Commonwealth Games, I genuinely believe I would have had a strong chance of winning a gold medal if I had competed in the lightweight division,” said Dolapo, adding: “I say that with confidence because I know the level I was training and the work I had put in leading up to the Games. Of course, in boxing nothing is guaranteed—you still have to perform on the day—but I was confident in my ability to compete with anyone in that field.
“The lightweight division was very competitive, with talented and experienced boxers from different countries. I have a lot of respect for every athlete who stepped into the ring because they all earned their place. At the same time, I didn’t see anyone who was unbeatable. Every boxer had strengths and weaknesses, and I believe my style, preparation, and determination would have given me a real opportunity to challenge for a podium finish.
“Missing Glasgow was disappointing, but it also motivated me to work even harder. Since then, my focus has been on improving every aspect of my game so that when the next opportunity comes, I’ll be fully be prepared to represent my country and compete for medals.”
But you cannot keep a puncher down for long.
Dolapo kept his tools sharp in the pro ranks, his last outing in May 2025 being a clinical demolition of Ghana’s veteran Isaac Nettey (28-21-1).
“I turned professional in February 2022,” recalls Dolapo, “At that time, I decided to begin my professional career and started building my record. Later, I was called back to the Nigerian national team, which gave me the opportunity to represent my country again in major international competitions.
“So my professional journey actually started before I returned to the national team. Since turning pro, I’ve fought 10 times wiining all fights, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had. My goal now is to stay active, continue developing, and get more opportunities to fight on bigger international platforms both in pro and amateur boxing since these we have no restrictions.”
Now vindicated, cleared, and fueled by a year of bottled-up rage, the featherweight king is ready to flex his muscles once again. His eyes are locked on the Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo from October 18-31, 2026.
While Nigeria has yet to officially confirm their participation, Dolapo is laced up and waiting at the door. He didn’t get his Olympic moment, but he is ready to remind the continent exactly what they missed.
In addition to the 27-year-old Dolapo, most of the top Nigerian boxers I have spoken with are ready for the Kinshasa showdown. The ball is now in the court of the Nigerian federation and the government to facilitate the trip to DR Congo’s capital city.
