The heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte has been cancelled after Whyte returned ‘adverse findings’ in a doping test.
British heavyweight rivals Joshua and Whyte were due to meet in the ring next weekend at London’s O2 Arena.
But Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn confirmed on Saturday that the fight had been called off due to an ‘adverse finding’ in an anti-doping sample provided by Whyte.
‘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 read.
‘In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted. Further information on the event will follow.’
Whyte says he is ‘shocked and devastated’ by the results of the anti-doping test and has maintained his innocence.
‘I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me,’ he said in a statement. ‘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 doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
‘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 by trial by media.
‘I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all of my fights for many, many years.
‘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.’
Joshua and Whyte have been bitter rivals ever since they fought as amateurs in 2009, with ‘The Body Snatcher’ winning on points.
AJ gained revenge when they met as professionals in December 2015, stopping Whyte in the seventh round an early scare.
Joshua, 33, became Olympic champion in-between his two fights with Whyte and went on to become a two-time world champion. Whyte, 36, lost his only world title fight to Tyson Fury last year.
In his last outing, Joshua recovered from back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk with a victory over Jermaine Franklin.
Whyte also defeated American heavyweight Franklin in his last bout, after being stopped by Fury in April 2022.
Joshua may still fight on next Saturday’s card at the O2 Arena if a new opponent is found.
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