Anthony Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte 2 is off, according to breaking news from Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua and Whyte were due to face off for the second time next Saturday, August 12th. The fight has now been canceled due to an adverse analytical finding in the anti-doping protocol from Dillian Whyte.
VADA, (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) has notified the Association of Boxing Commissions, the British Boxing Board of Control, and Matchroom.
Matchroom Boxing announced that the fight itself has now been canceled and that further information on the event will follow.
The full statement from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing is below (as per Eddie Hearn’s social media post on the platform ‘X’):
Dillian Whyte’s Adverse History – 2012
Dillian Whyte returns to familiar territory with speculation over adverse findings.
In 2012, Whyte tested positive for a banned substance. On that occasion the banned substance was Methylhexaneamine. This was found in a UKAD test and Whyte was given a two-year ban from boxing. Whyte had claimed that he had accidentally ingested the substance from an over-the-counter supplement he had taken. The panel of the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) accepted this explanation but upheld the ban.
Dillian Whyte’s Adverse History – 2019
In 2019, Whyte was again involved in a doping scandal as he failed a UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) test three days before his fight with Oscar Rivas. Whyte was informed of his failed test three days before the fight and was miraculously cleared to fight. Whyte went on to outpoint Rivas three days later.
It was reported that traces of Epimethandienone and Hydroxymethandienone were found in Whyte’s sample. Both of which are by-products of Dianabol. Dianabol is a tablet, often taken by bodybuilders to put on extra size. There was no suggestion or evidence to prove that Whyte had taken the steroid intentionally or in that form.
There was ongoing speculation surrounding Dillian Whyte’s ‘B Sample’, a sample of urine taken at the same date and time. In December 2019, Whyte was cleared by UKAD of any wrongdoing. Whyte took to social media to state: “For those who believed in me I won’t forget you. To those who didn’t, I won’t forget you and I know who you are. #bodysnatcher #no1”.
UKAD Statement
A statement from UKAD read: “UK Anti-Doping and the professional boxer, Dillian Whyte, can today jointly confirm that Mr. Whyte was charged with an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) earlier this year, but that this charge has now been withdrawn.”
“The charge was brought after a sample provided by Mr. Whyte on 20 June 2019 indicated the presence of two metabolites of a steroid. UKAD initiated an investigation with which Mr. Whyte cooperated fully. UKAD has accepted the explanation provided by Mr. Whyte and, in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules, the charge against Mr Whyte has been withdrawn.”
Quotes and Dillian Whyte’s statement taken from Sky Sports.
Eddie’s Headache
With further investigations to take place and no doubt further evidence to be submitted, it would be unprofessional and unfair to comment any further at this time.
For Eddie Hearn, the headache of yet another failed drug test has plagued his main event. Hearn, who was previously called into question over his handling of the Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn fiasco, will be frustrated at a failed test once again disrupting his events.
Eubank Jr. vs. Benn was finally called off days before the event back in October 2022 after an adverse finding with one of Benn’s VADA tests. A situation that has still not been fully resolved.
In that instance, Hearn and co-promotor Kalle Sauerland failed to call the Eubank Jr. – Benn fight off immediately whilst they sought clarity from the British Boxing Board of Control and other involved parties such as UKAD and VADA.
It is refreshing to see that on this occasion that Hearn has wasted no time in calling the fight off, and hopefully, the event can remain on. Unfortunately in situations like these, it is the fighters on the undercard who are the real victims. However, to Hearn’s credit, they are often looked after and squeezed into events shortly afterward.
What Now for AJ?
Anthony Joshua has been linked to a fight later this year against fellow heavyweight and former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The fight with Dillian Whyte had been planned to get Joshua back out before the Wilder fight, but it remains to be seen what now happens with AJ.
Wilder, who has been in negotiations to face Andy Ruiz Jr. for some time, has been unable to come to a deal with Ruiz Jr. It will be intriguing to see whether Wilder puts his fight with Ruiz Jr. on the back burner and goes straight in with Joshua.
The fight, which would see two of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division come face to face is an appetizing prospect for fans around the world.
Do you think we see Joshua Vs Wilder next? Does AJ take another warm-up first? What are your thoughts on the Dillian Whyte fiasco? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit to Embed from Getty Images
