ANTHONY JOSHUA was supposed to be fighting Dillian Whyte next weekend, but the fight will no longer take place.
A rivalry that stems from 2009 when Whyte got the better of Joshua at amateur level, their third fight was supposed to be the decider.
AJ won the sequel and got revenge in 2015 when he KO’d the Brixton-brawler to win the British heavyweight title.
But fans WON’T get to see them square off for a third time.
Why is Joshua vs Whyte 2 cancelled?
Joshua’s big clash won’t be happening because Whyte has failed a drugs test.
Matchroom released a statement which read: “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.
“In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted. Further information on the event will follow.”
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SunSport understands TWO failed tests came back from Vada.
If they haven’t already, the B-samples for both failed tests will also be examined by VADA.
Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is no stranger to anti-doping controversies.
Whyte, 35, tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylhexaneamine after his 2012 victory over Sandor Balogh.
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The substance found its way into Whyte’s system through a banned and since discontinued pre-workout supplement, which landed him a two-year suspension.
His second anti-doping violation occurred ahead of his interim WBC heavyweight title fight with Oscar Rivas in 2019.
One of his pre-fight tests returned traces of the banned anabolic steroid Dianabol.
But he was cleared by UKAD of intentionally taking the performance-enhancing drug due to the “extremely low” levels of the substance found in his system.
Will the event still go ahead?
SunSport understand that event organisers are trying to press ahead with the card as planned.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is looking for a new opponent, with the frontrunner said to be American Gerald Washington, who was supposed to fight Derek Chisora on the card.
Filip Hrgovic and Demsey McKean, both also due to fight on August 12, could step in too.
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- Should the event go ahead, it will be broadcast LIVE on DAZN. It’s unknown if it will remain a pay-per-view show.
- DAZN offer a monthly subscription for £9.99 which commits you to an entire year of action.
- Or, fans can pay an upfront fee of £99.99 and that will cover you for the whole year – plus it is the lowest cost option.
- Alternatively, there is a flexible pass worth £19.99 a month which can be canceled at any time.
- The event is available to live stream via your mobile or any tablet device where the DAZN app can be downloaded.
- Sky will also have fight coverage through channel 429 – the DAZN channel.
- But for anyone without access to all of the above, SunSport will have round-by-round coverage of the whole event including the undercard.
Who else is on the card?
- Derek Chisora vs Gerald Washington
- Filip Hrgovic vs. Demsey McKean
- Johnny Fisher vs. Harry Armstrong
- George Liddard vs. Radek Rousal
- Maisey Rose Courtney vs. Gemma Ruegg
- Campbell Hatton vs. Tom Ansell
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What has been said?
Both AJ and Whyte have yet to comment on the situation.
But Hearn briefly wrote on Twitter: “BREAKING… more updates to follow shortly. Time to go to work!”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
