05 August 2023 , 13:12
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Anthony Joshua is on the lookout for a new opponent after Dillian Whyte failed a drugs test.
The two rivals were due to face off for a third time — their second clash as professionals — at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday. But a statement from Joshua’s promoters, Matchroom Boxing, yesterday lunchtime confirmed that the fight had been cancelled after Whyte returned an adverse sample.
The statement 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." And Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn has already hinted they are in the process of lining up a replacement, stating on Twitter there will be "more updates to follow shortly" about the situation and that it was "time to go to work".
One potential option for 33-year-old Joshua could be Gerald Washington. The American is already part of the undercard for the show with a fight against Derek Chisora slated.
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But there is a chance Hearn will switch things up so former WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua steps into the ring with him instead. Joshua will be furious with Whyte, whom he beat when they first met as professionals in a cracking fight 11 years ago.
Anthony Joshua is seeking a new opponent after Dillian Whyte failed a drugs test (Getty Images)Whyte, who’d beaten AJ in the amateurs, wobbled his opponent big time but he gathered himself and came back to record the victory that set up the clash with Charles Martin in which he became world champion. Whyte was suspended in 2012 after the banned stimulant Methylhexanemine was found in his system following his victory over Sandor Balogh.
He then suffered a further violation ahead of his clash with Oscar Rivas in 2019, when he was due to challenge for the WBC heavyweight crown. However, that time he was cleared by UKAD of intentionally taking performance-enhancing drug Dianabol as the levels found in his system were ‘extremely low’.
Joshua is eyeing a potential mega-money-spinning fight against Deontay Wilder next year and the Whyte fight was seen as a stepping stone to it. But he and his team must now work with Hearn to find a replacement after Whyte’s latest indiscretion.