Brixton boxer Dillian Whyte faced drugs test hearing – but still beat Rivas
Dillian Whyte says he beat Oscar Rivas “fair and square” after being approved to fight despite testing positive for an unnamed banned substance.
The Brixton British heavyweight, 31, defeated Rivas on points in Greenwich’s O2 Arena on Saturday but was informed he had tested positive before the bout.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has stated Whyte was cleared to fight after a hearing.
Whyte tweeted today: “I am so disappointed with the rubbish that has been said about me over the last few days.
“I have lawyers dealing with it and I have been told that I can’t talk about it for good legal reasons. I was cleared to fight and I won that fight fair and square. Thanks for the support.”
Whyte served a two-year suspension from 2012 to 2014 for unknowingly taking an illegal supplement. He could now face an eight-year ban if he is found to have breached rules again.
UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) has declined to comment, while the British Boxing Board of Control has stressed it hands over to Ukad all its anti-doping procedures, decisions, sanctions and suspensions.
Both fighters were also tested during their training camps by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
Hearn has said Whyte was cleared to fight Colombian Rivas after an independent panel hearing on the day of the fight.
His Matchroom Boxing organisation has faced criticism for not informing Rivas of the failed test but the promoter has said that when a hearing cleared Whyte, he had a contractual right to fight.
Rivas’ promoter Yvon Michel told the BBC: “Nobody from our team was aware of the situation before the fight or after the fight.”
Whyte has 26 wins from 27 bouts and his weekend victory made him the mandatory challenger to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
A bout with Wilder was mandated to take place by 18 May next year.
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