Dillian Whyte Fails VADA Drug Test, Joshua-Whyte 2 Canceled

Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte 2 bout is canceled after Whyte returned ‘adverse analytical findings’ in VADA testing.

Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn announced that Saturday that the fight had been called off due Whyte failing the doping test. The statement from Matchroom Boxing 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.”

Statement from Matchroom Boxing on Joshua vs Whyte 2 cancelation

The statement also mentioned a full investigation will be conducted on the matter and further information will follow soon.

Official Statement on #JoshuaWhyte2 pic.twitter.com/V4BtFaEDuU

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 5, 2023

Joshua and Whyte were supposed to clash on August 12, 2023, at The O2 Arena in London, UK, for the second time in pro-boxing and third time overall. It remains to be seen if Joshua will now fight a replacement opponent. And if he does not fight, will the event move forward.

Two more high-level heavyweights in Filip Hrgovic and Demsey McKean are set to clash on the undercard and one of them might be brought up to face Joshua. However, it is also possible that AJ might wait for his next bout against Deontay Wilder showdown. That bout is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia in January next year.

Joshua is currently trying to recover his career after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. He defeated Jermaine Franklin in April this year.

Whyte also defeated Franklin last year in November in his only fight since losing to Tyson Fury in April 2022.