New Zealand cruiserweight prospect David Nyika is on the hunt for a new opponent

The Ring has confirmed that Australia's Blake Caparello failed a drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). He was due to face New Zealand's Nyika (9-0, 8 knockouts) atop a Sept. 14 DAZN show at Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.

That was before Caparello (32-4-1, 15 KOs) tested positive for an elevated level of testosterone. The 38-year-old former title challenger has already vowed to clear his name.

Caparello, who once unsuccessfully challenged Sergiy Kovalev for the WBO light heavyweight title in Atlantic City a decade ago, is adamant he did nothing wrong.

“I have had independent doctors test me, both blood and urine," Caparello said in a statement. "All of my results show that I am completely clean. I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs, and I never will.

“I was not in the WBC top 15, nor was I defending a WBC belt, so I had little obligation to take an out-of-contest VADA test. However, I had nothing to hide, so I took the voluntary test. I intend to challenge VADA on all of these findings. Independent, highly qualified doctors have already gone on record stating that all my test results are within the required levels.

“I have always honored the rules of my sport. I will be contesting these findings and am very confident that my name will be cleared.”

While Caparello is out, promoters David Higgins and Joseph Parker are still confident the card will go ahead.

“Higgins and Parker have secured a tough, credible and vastly experienced opponent who wants to take on Nyika at short notice,” Duco said.

Nyika, 28, carried the flag for New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics. Australia's Noel Thornbury trains him out of the regional town of Gatton in Queensland.

It's an opportunity missed for veteran Caparello, who was looking for one last go-around in the twilight of his career.