WBC Suspends Dillian Whyte’s Heavyweight Mandatory Challenger Status

News of Dillian Whyte failing a drug test just days before a fight against Oscar Rivas has the WBC suspending Whyte’s status as interim heavyweight champion.

It had been previously reported that Whyte tested positive for epimethandienone and hydroxymethandienone, two metabolites of the banned drug Dianabol. After the positive tests were revealed, the British Boxing Board of Control cleared Whyte to fight Rivas for the interim title and a spot as the mandatory challenger to Deontay Wilder‘s WBC title. However, Rivas’ camp wasn’t made aware of the failed drug test until after the fight had occurred.

The WBC has taken action against Whyte and suspended his standing as the interim champion and Wilder’s mandatory. Below is the full statement from the WBC:

“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. 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.”

Whyte would go on to defeat Rivas by unanimous decision in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing card taking place at The O2 Arena in London. Whyte has also gone to social media to vaguely respond to the news, saying that he “won that fight and square.”