WBC Suspends Dillian Whyte’s Status as Interim Heavyweight Champion

WBC Suspends Dillian Whyte’s Status as Interim Heavyweight Champion and Mandatory Challenger to Deontay Wilder After Failed Drug Test

DILLIAN WHYTE has had his position as the interim heavyweight champion and mandatory challenger to Deontay Wilder suspended by the WBC.

It was revealed after his points victory against Oscar Rivas that an "adverse finding" was discovered in a drugs test.

Dillian Whyte has had his position as the WBC mandatory challenge and interim champ suspended by the WBC

The Brixton boxer has since submitted a B sample, the results of which have not been revealed.

A statement released by the WBC reads: "An 'A' Sample UKAD collected from Mr Dillian Whyte in relation with his bout against Oscar Rivas yielded an adverse finding.

"In light of that adverse finding, and pending the outcome of the WBC’s own investigation and adjudicatory process, the WBC is provisionally suspending the WBC’s recognition of Dillian Whyte as WBC Interim World Heavyweight Champion and Mandatory Challenger of the division.

"The WBC has notified Mr Whyte and his team of the WBC’s suspension, and that it will afford Mr Whyte the opportunity to present its position to the WBC at an investigative hearing which will take place at a place and time to be announced in the near future.

BIGGEST FIGHT NOW TO COME?

"Throughout its investigation and hearing, the WBC will afford Mr Whyte and his team the opportunity to present any available information and materials, and any exculpatory evidence they might deem appropriate."

The winner of the Whyte versus Rivas bout was to be the mandatory challenger for Wilder's WBC strap.

And Brit basher Whyte, who has been calling out for a world title shot for months after being the WBC's No1, looked to have finally got the chance.

But the 31-year-old could now be in a fight to save his boxing career - with an eight year ban a possibility if he is proved to have cheated.

The "adverse finding" in his A sample has led to Rivas and his team slamming boxing chiefs for not telling them of the result before the fight.

RIVAS DEMANDS RESULT OVERTURNED

And they are demanding the result is overturned.

Russ Anber, a member of the Rivas team, says no-one was informed of the problem on their side and has slammed the British Boxing Board of Control for apparently clearing Whyte to fight despite his positive sample.

Anber told World Boxing News: “We were not notified. Nobody from the Rivas camp was notified that he had failed a drug test. Or that he had tested positive for two steroids.

“The fact the BBBoC saw fit to hold a hearing on this positive test – to me, makes you if not legally, certainly morally obligated to notify the opposing camp.

“The fact that a positive test came up and they see fit to hold a hearing to get Dillian’s side of the story and not notify us?

“I don’t see how anybody cannot perceive that as being so wrong, not only wrong but ultimately dangerous, thank God nothing happened in the ring that night.

“But had it happened, with both the gloves and the withholding of information regarding his positive steroid test just makes it incredible."

Dillian Whyte beat Oscar Rivas on points - but huge controversy has since followed

By skunty empire