Whyte Vows to Prove Innocent After VADA Flag Ruins AJ Fight
Two-time unified heavyweight Anthony “AJ” Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) is suddenly scrambling for a new opponent for his upcoming fight on August 12 as his rematch with Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs) has been canceled.
According to Matchroom Promotions, Whyte’s random VADA pre-fight drug test found “adverse analytical findings” in his sample. Upon receiving word of his faulty drug test, The Body Snatcher posted the following response on social media claiming innocence of any wrongdoing:
DOWN THIS ROAD AGAIN
As of this writing, there is no word on the specific illegal substance that resulted in Whyte’s positive test. It’s not the first time that the 35-year-old has had issues with drug testing and banned substances.
In October 2012, Whyte served a two-year suspension after testing positive for the illegal substance Methylhexaneamine (MHA). He was provisionally suspended by the WBC in July 2019 due to questionable findings of his drug test before his unanimous decision win over Oscar Rivas. But in December 2019, the United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) withdrew the doping violation.
Joshua and Whyte previously fought in December 2015. In a very entertaining fight, Joshua overcame getting wobbled early to score a seventh-round stoppage win. Whyte felt this was his chance to finally get redemption. But the opportunity for revenge has now gone up in smoke.
Joshua – Whyte II was to happen at the O2 Arena in London, England, live on DAZN. Joshua still plans to fight on August 12 at the same venue. Word on the street is that former world title challenger Dereck Chisora is being considered as a replacement opponent. Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for further developments on this breaking news.
