The heavily-anticipated rematch between former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and long-time rival Dillian Whyte, set for next weekend, has today been cancelled after news broke the latter returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a random VADA drugs test. Andy Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua in the summer of 2019, and respected Swedish contender Otto Wallin are among those who’ve expressed a willingness to step up on short-notice.
Joshua-Whyte 2 off, August 12 card now in jeopardy
- Matchroom’s lunchtime statement: “Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control Dillian that 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 conducted. Further information on the event will follow.”
- After suffering a second Oleksandr Usyk defeat last August, Anthony Joshua returned to winning ways with a wide points win over gamely American Jermaine Franklin on April 1 – Whyte beat the 29-year-old five months earlier via majority decision and openly called for this rematch
- #1 IBF contender Filip Hrgovic (15-0) vs. Demsey McKean (22-0) is one of three other heavyweight bouts slated to be on next weekend’s card at London’s O2 Arena, with Derek Chisora vs. Gerald Washington and rising prospect Johnny Fisher facing Harry Armstrong also on the bill
- Whyte said he was shocked and devastated to learn of the news in a statement, adding: “I can confirm without a shadow of doubt 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.”
Less than a full week after the sport was rightly heralded with two big world championship fights – one in Tokyo, another in Las Vegas – the lingering smell of controversy and confusion returns to the surface atop British boxing.
Unlike last October’s proposed Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn matchup, eventually cancelled deep into fight week, Anthony Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte II has been shelved a week in advance. Matchroom’s search for a suitable Joshua foe begins.
A quick Google search will show this isn’t Whyte’s first transgression with failed drug tests: he served a two-year suspension (2012-14) for taking an illegal supplement, before having a doping violation charge dropped in 2019 after UK Anti-Doping said the levels of banned steroid uncovered were ‘very low’ and he wasn’t at fault.
So naturally, the initial reaction is one of suspicion.
Whyte reaffirms he’s completely innocent and must be given due process, though at 35 and on the slide physically of late, this timing couldn’t be any worse. It’ll be difficult for him to recover from another lengthy setback if found guilty.
Wallin, Ruiz interested in short-notice slot
Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin (25-1, 14 KOs) was set to box Whyte in an October main event on a Matchroom show two years ago, before the latter withdrew with a shoulder injury ten days out. He’s open to step up and face Joshua on short-notice.
During an interview with Boxing News’ Andi Purewal, the 32-year-old said:
[If the call came, would you accept?] “I think I would, but they’d have to pay me – I’m in good shape, hoping to have a fight soon – got sparring lined up for today, I think it’d be good, it’s a great show with a lot of good fights and nice to see all those heavyweights out there, I’d love to be a part of it. I’d be ready for it.”
Andy Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua in similar short-notice circumstances four summers ago to briefly win unified world titles, is another ranked heavyweight who has raised his hand for what would be a trilogy bout between the pair.
He was outboxed in the rematch, and been largely inactive since – winning a pair of deceptively unimpressive decisions vs. Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz a year apart.
Proposed matchups against Filip Hrgovic and former world champion Deontay Wilder haven’t materialised. There is an assumption he would price himself out of the running, as he reportedly did in talks to fight Tyson Fury earlier this summer.
One thing often overlooked in cases like these are the aftereffects felt by undercard fighters. 9-0 heavyweight Johnny Fisher is set to box for his first title against Harry Armstrong, with the vacant Southern Area strap on offer. Now, we wait.
Picture source: Getty Images
Mo and Sports 