Dillian Whyte Resurfaces With No New Answers
Earlier this summer, on July 2o, Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (26-1, 18 KO’s) went head to head with Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (26-1, 18 KO’s). Sadly, most don’t remember this fight due to the thrilling dust-up in the ring. Instead this bout is a negative milestone in each fighter’s career as a result of Whyte failing a UKAD-issued drug test. It also stands as Rivas’ sole professional defeat.
In this day and age, boxers failing drug test are on the rise. Most recently, 3kingsboxing reported on Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong (14-0, 13 KO’s) popping dirty ahead of his bout with heavyweight newcomer Oleksandr Usyk (16-0, 12 KO’s). Unlike the Whyte v Rivas bout, upon hearing of adverse drug finding Usyk v Spong was quickly scrapped.
What sets Whyte’s case apart from virtually all others is the behind the scenes machinations that UKAD, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBB of C) and Team Whyte have engaged in. Following the July 20 bout, news surfaced that Dillian Whyte and the BBB of C staged an emergency meeting the morning of the fight to authorize the Body Snatchers involvement. Apparently, no one on Rivas’s team was notified. Also, Whyte’s own chief second was unaware of the situation.
DILLIAN WHYTE SURFACES
Since the whole debacle hit the fan, Whyte has not fought and the neither UKAD nor the BBB of C issued any formal statement on the matter. What transpired in that secret hearing, the rationale for why Whyte was allowed to compete and the status of his B-sample all remain shrouded in mystery. And until this weekend, Dillian Whyte himself remained in seclusion. This changed when Kugan Cassius of IFL TV had a chance to catch up with Whyte at a boxing event.
“It’s been very frustrating, you know what I mean. I’m WBC interim world champion, worked hard, got mandatory and then stuff happened. That’s just how it goes bro, but that’s life. Life is full of ups and downs.”
Unfortunately, Whyte could not, or perhaps would not, share any new information about the ongoing situation. Previous to this interview, Whyte’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stated several times that there is a gag order barring the Body Snatcher from making any public statements. Hearn also let it be known that his fighter could fight and intended on being in the ring soon. When Whyte spoke with Cassius, he did little more than reiterate those same talking points.
“[on when the matter would be finalized] I have no idea mate, you know. I’m just in the process and you have to be patient and let the process sort itself out brotha!”
Yet, the most vexing element of the interview with Dillian Whyte is the fact that he did not say what was going on, why it was still in play or what would determine when this drawn out legal drama would be brought to a close. He simply let it suspiciously hang out there as it has been for the last couple of months.
“Yea, I can fight now… I can fight you know, I can fight and I will fight…Yea, yea of course. I can fight and I will fight. I will be fighting this year.”
3kingsboxing will continue to report on this rather sticky situation.
By: Bakari Simpson
