Dillian Whyte has returned “an adverse finding” from a doping test, causing his heavyweight rematch against Anthony Joshua on 12 August to be cancelled.<\/span><\/p>\n The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) informed promoters Matchroom and boxing authorities of the test result.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n “In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled and a full investigation will be conducted,” said a Matchroom statement.<\/span><\/p>\n A “devastated” Whyte, 35, says he is “completely innocent”.<\/span><\/p>\n Joshua, 33, could still fight at London’s O2 Arena if a new opponent can be found. <\/span><\/p>\n “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by Vada of adverse findings relating to me,” Whyte wrote in a statement released on X, formerly known as Twitter.<\/span><\/p>\n “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.<\/span><\/p>\n “I have also just seen that the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.<\/span><\/p>\n “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.<\/span><\/p>\n “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.” <\/span><\/p>\n The fight between Joshua and Whyte, a rematch of their 2015 bout, was announced a month ago<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Joshua knocked out Whyte in the seventh round of their heated British title fight eight years ago, which also took place at the O2, as he avenged a loss to his rival on the amateur circuit.<\/span><\/p>\n Whyte, who lost his only world title challenge to Tyson Fury in 2022, beat Joshua by decision as an amateur in 2009 to start what became a bitter rivalry.<\/span><\/p>\n Olympic gold medallist Joshua went on to become a two-time world champion.<\/span><\/p>\n Joshua gained revenge when the pair met again as professionals in December 2015, being rocked in the second round but recovering to force a stoppage in the seventh.<\/span><\/p>\n Whyte had a <\/span>doping violation charge dropped<\/span><\/a> in 2019 after UK Anti-Doping said the levels of a banned steroid were “very low” and he was not at fault.<\/span><\/p>\n
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