LONDON — Britain’s Dillian Whyte heavyweight rematch against Anthony Joshua was canceled after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” on a doping test.
The bout had been scheduled for Aug. 12 at London´s O2 Arena, but Matchroom Boxing called off the fight and said “a full investigation will be conducted.”
Matchroom said it was informed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association “that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.”
Whyte was stopped by Joshua at the O2 Arena in December 2015 when contesting for the vacant British heavyweight title. A rematch was announced in July after talks over former world champion Joshua taking on Tyson Fury broke down.
Whyte said he was “shocked and devastated” to learn of the VADA findings.
“I can confirm without a shadow of doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life,” he wrote on social media.
“I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.”
“This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time I will again prove that I am completely innocent.”
Whyte served a two-year ban from 2012 to 2014 after testing positive for a banned stimulant contained in a nutritional supplement.
In 2019 he tested for traces of a banned steroid but was cleared of any wrongdoing by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD), which withdrew a charge of a doping violation.
Joshua lost his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
The outcome of the Joshua v Whyte fight could have put either fighter in the frame for a lucrative clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Matchroom were caught up in another anti-doping controversy recently involving British welterweight Conor Benn, who failed two voluntary drugs tests last year.
UKAD said last month that Benn, who had been due to fight Chris Eubank Jr in London last October, was no longer under suspension.
Whyte lost a title challenge to WBC world champion Tyson Fury in April 2022. Joshua lost his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
The outcome of the Joshua v Whyte fight could have put either fighter in the frame for a lucrative clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
