Dillian Whyte Vs Anthony Joshua Cancelled After Falling Drugs Test

The rematch between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte has been called off due to a failed drugs test.

Dillian Whyte, a boxer, returned ‘adverse analytical findings in a VADA test, promoter Eddie Hearn stated on Saturday, August 5 – a week before the fight was scheduled to take place.

A statement from Hearn’s company Matchroom read: “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. Further information on the event will follow.”

At the time of publication, it was uncertain whether AJ would seek a replacement opponent.

The undercard fight between Filip Hrgovic and Demsey McKean was scheduled for next Saturday, but Joshua may want to wait for a fight with Deontay Wilder, which is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia in January.

This is not Whyte’s first time failing a drug test. He tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine in a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) test in 2012, after having 9 wins and 0 losses on his record.

Despite accepting his claim that he accidentally took the chemical since it was an element in an over-the-counter supplement he was taking, the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) banned him from boxing for two years.

Whyte returned to boxing in 2014, rose to prominence after losing to AJ in 2015, and then spent several years campaigning for a WBC world championship chance.

In addition, prior to his victory over Oscar Rivas in 2019, he tested positive for steroid metabolites (said to be Dianabol) in a UKAD test.

He was allowed to fight nevertheless, and the adverse test result was only revealed publicly after his victory.

Following a lengthy legal process, Whyte was eventually absolved of any wrongdoing by UKAD and got no ban for this positive test, allowing him to resume his career.

He finally earned his WBC world title shot in 2022 but was knocked out by Tyson Fury.