MIAMI – The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has presided over the drug testing for the upcoming heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, with both fighters having been tested “well over half a dozen times,” according to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.

The event is being promoted by MVP – led by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian – meaning the drug-testing for the fights was at its discretion. For Paul’s last bout, a 10-round decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr, the highly respected Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) was responsible for testing the fighters. 

“We didn't request no VADA testing [this time], we requested more intense testing with USADA, which is in place,” Bidarian told BoxingScene. 

Paul had been scheduled to take on Gervonta Davis until the lightweight ran into out-of-the-ring legal issues and on November 17, a little more than four weeks ago, Joshua was confirmed as a shock replacement. 

“The most comprehensive program that the US Olympics use is USADA,” Bidarian continued. “When Jake [Paul] was going to fight Gervonta Davis, he put forward VADA. Gervonta [Davis] was very concerned, given he's a smaller man. His team wanted USADA, so we agreed to USADA. When we moved on to fight Anthony Joshua, we said, ‘Of course you want a drug test, but we're using USADA’.”

Hearn claims he and Joshua were happy to be tested by USADA, though he did stipulate that the decision to not use VADA – widely regarded as the leaders in the field – had nothing to do with them. “That was a decision from MVP,” Hearn said.

Asked whether they pushed for VADA testing, he added: “Yeah, but we've been VADA-tested our whole career. USADA are a very reputable agency as well.

“We didn't have a problem with it. USADA are extremely reputable, it's not like some random agency that's popped up from nowhere. But we were tested by UKAD as well. Well over half-a-dozen tests, I believe. So we were happy with the procedure.”

Tom Ivers is a lifelong fight fan and former amateur boxer who has a master’s degree in sports journalism. He had his first bout in 2013 and spent the majority of his career at the Salisbury Amateur Boxing Club in Liverpool, England, where he won two regional titles. Tom joined BoxingScene in 2024 and is now a key part of the UK and social media teams. You can reach him @tomosivers on X and Instagram.