Dillian Whyte promises innocence after returning ‘adverse’ drug test ahead of planned Anthony Joshua rematch
Former WBC heavyweight champion, Dillian Whyte has maintained his innocence off the back of an “adverse” finding result in an in-competition drug test sample submitted ahead of his now-cancelled rematch with former world champion, Anthony Joshua later this month.
Dillian Whyte, a former WBC heavyweight champion, was slated to make his return to the ring in a potential title-eliminator with fellow British heavyweight veteran, Joshua later this month in London, in a rematch of their 2015 showdown in the capital.
However, over the course of the weekend, the bout was shelved officially, with Matchroom Boxing confirming the cancellation of the pairing, after “adverse” findings were discovered in a drug test sample submitted by Jamaican-born heavyweight, Dilian Whyte.
“5 August 2023 – 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,” A statement released read.”
“In light of the new, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted. Further information on the event will follow.”
And despite finding himself facing an expected positive drug test return again, Dillian Whyte maintains his innocence throughout this latest fiasco, claiming he will prove such.
“I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me,” Dillian Whyte said in a statement posted on his official social media accounts. “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it. I have also just seen that the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.”
“I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life,” Whyte continued. “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.”
Still hoping to lace up his proper shoes for his own return to the squared circle later this month, a host of potential short-notice replacements have been lined up for the aforenoted Watford native, Joshua, namely former two-time foe and former champion, Andy Ruiz Jr. – as well as veteran former WBC heavyweight title chaser, Californian puncher, Gerald Washington.
Sidelined himself since taking on common-foe, Jermaine Franklin earlier this year, Joshua snapped a two-fight losing skid for the first time in his professional career, landing a unanimous decision win over the American in a homecoming return – following a pair of title defense and subseqeunt challenge defeats to Ukrainian favorite, Oleksandr Usyk.
25-3 as a professional, Joshua has yet to land a victory in an undisputed world championship bout since he successfully defended the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO world heavyweight championships in an eventual ninth round KO win over Kubrat Pulev back in December 2020 in London, England. Forced the distance just three times in career wins, Joshua has racked up an impressive 23 separate career knockout wins.
