Boxer Dillian Whyte breaks silence after failed drugs test sees heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua cancelled

5 August 2023, 18:00

Boxer Dillian Whyte breaks silence after failed drugs test sees heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua cancelled
Boxer Dillian Whyte breaks silence after failed drugs test sees heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua cancelled. Picture: LBC / Alamy

By Danielle DeWolfe

British boxer Dillian Whyte has broken his silence after failing a drug test which resulted in the cancellation of his heavyweight fight against rival Anthony Joshua.

The duo's bout, which had been scheduled to take place at London's o2 Arena next Saturday, was scrapped after a routine anti-doping test returned "adverse analytical findings".

Whyte has now broken his silence following the news, protesting his innocence and claiming he wishes to avoid "trial by media".

Taking to Twitter with a statement addressing the test, the 35-year-old boxer said: “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.

Boxer Dillian Whyte breaks silence after failed drugs test sees heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua cancelled
Boxer Dillian Whyte breaks silence after failed drugs test sees heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua cancelled. Picture: LBC / Alamy

"I have also just seen that the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken," he continued.

"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 a 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.

Read more: Ex-police chief believes ‘drug lord’ son didn’t ‘grass’ in £120m smuggling plot after upbringing at £45k school

Read more: Teen who vanished for four years then appeared 2,000 miles from home moves to site rife with meth and sex crimes

"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," he continued.

Adding: "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."

Whyte has now broken his silence following the news, protesting his innocence and claiming he wishes to avoid "trial by media".
Whyte has now broken his silence following the news, protesting his innocence and claiming he wishes to avoid "trial by media". Picture: LBC / Alamy

The cancellation of the fight is set to scupper Joshua's future plans, with the Whyte bout positioned as a stepping stone ahead of a proposed $60million fight against American Deontay Wilder in December.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association said the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control had been informed of the result of the "random anti-doping protocol".

The pair have a long-running rivalry, with Whyte defeating Joshua in the amateur ranks prior to winning an Olympic gold medal at London 2012.

The tables were turned when the pair went professional, with Joshua winning against Whyte during a seventh-round stoppage at a 2015 British heavyweight bout.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief Nick Adderley slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador tells LBC

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages

Matheus Cunha signs his Manchester United contract

When does the summer 2025 transfer window open and close?

Iranian soldiers in Tehran. The country has one of the strongest armies in the Middle East

Does Iran have nuclear weapons and what is its military capability?

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer.

UK's first women-only tower block to open in west London next summer providing 'lifeline' to domestic abuse survivors