The highly anticipated rematch between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte which was earlier scheduled for the 12th of August, has been called off after Whyte returned ‘adverse analytical findings’ in a pre-fight drugs test, Africa Today News, New York reports.
The test was carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
A statement from Matchroom Boxing on Sunday morning said: ‘Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.
‘In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled and a full investigation will be conducted.’
Whyte denies any wrongdoing and claims his innocence. In a statement posted on his social media channels, he expressed his surprise upon learning about the report by VADA.
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‘I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me, I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it. I have also just seen that the fight is being canceled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken,” he wrote.
‘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. 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. In the meantime, all I can do is express my extreme disappointment to boxing fans, who will miss out on what was sure to be a great event.’
As a result of the adverse finding, Matchroom Boxing has canceled the event. They are now searching for a new opponent for Joshua for the main event at London’s O2 Arena. The cancellation comes as a major disappointment to boxing fans who were eagerly anticipating the showdown between the bitter rivals.
It is important to mention that Whyte has been involved in doping-related issues in the past. He was suspended for two years from 2012 to 2014 for taking an illegal supplement. However, in 2019, he had a doping violation charge dropped by UK Anti-Doping. The agency stated that the levels of the banned substance found in his system were “very low” and he was not responsible for the incident.