Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte cancelled as The Body Snatcher fails medicine check

Anthony Joshua’s combat with fellow British heavyweight Dillian Whyte has now been cancelled after an ‘adverse finding’ in an anti-doping pattern supplied by the latter. The bout was scheduled to happen on the O2 Arena in London on August 12, with each boxers eager to settle the rating with their rival after getting into the ring collectively in December 2015.

An announcement from Matchroom, which promote each fighters, learn: “Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) knowledgeable Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned opposed analytical findings as a 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.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn quickly took to Twitter after the statement was released about Whyte’s potential doping violation, tweeting to his 1.1million followers: “BREAKING…more updates to follow shortly.”

It stays to be seen whether or not Joshua will nonetheless look to compete in London later this month, with Filip Hrgovic as a consequence of tackle Demsey McKean on the undercard of the occasion. However, Joshua may proceed to coach and anticipate a possible bout within the Middle East additional down the road.

Joshua has been hoping {that a} victory over Whyte would offer him with a stepping stone to go on and face Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia later this 12 months, with a complete of $60million up for grabs in an occasion that’s prone to happen in December/January.

The 33-year-old is determined to get his profession again on monitor and make his method again up the heavyweight ladder following back-to-back defeats by the hands of Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua managed to bounce again towards Jermaine Franklin in April, however the efficiency left loads to desired and lots of anticipated the two-time heavyweight champion to knock out his opponent, moderately than win by way of a unanimous determination.

Whyte was considered the subsequent step up, however The Body Snatcher has left many pondering whether or not a rematch will ever be on the playing cards now.