Whyte ‘failed test’ before Rivas fight

Dillian Whyte was alleged yesterday to have returned a positive test for a banned substance under UK Antidoping rules before his heavyweight victory over Oscar Rivas last weekend.

The Londoner’s points win at the O2 Arena made him the mandatory challenger for Deontay Wilder’s World Boxing Council title.

However, reports allege that Whyte and the British Boxing Board of Control were informed of the positive sample last Wednesday, three days before the Rivas fight. Under Ukad rules, an athlete is considered innocent of drug use unless or until the result is confirmed in a second test.

Whyte, ranked No1 in the world by the WBC, was previously suspended from competition for two years after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine following his fourth-round knockout of Sandor Balogh in 2012. The National Antidoping Panel found that Whyte had failed to seek professional or medical advice before using the supplement Jack3d, which he had bought over the counter from a nutritional supplement shop.

Charlie Bosomworth, Ukad’s head of communications, said: “We can’t comment on any test or reports of allegations on a failed test or an ongoing investigation. The only time we do get involved is when the case has been concluded. We can’t comment. We won’t get into the risk of prejudicing an ongoing investigation.”

Bosomworth explained the procedure when a tested athlete returns an adverse finding. “The governing body for the sport would be advised as to the failed test or the adverse finding. Anti-doping rules say an athlete has the right to request their B samples be checked. That would be the first thing they request if they were challenging.”

Such a case would go before the National Anti-doping Panel, an independent committee overseeing the legal process of anti-doping, which, according to Bosomworth, “can sometimes take up to a year” to resolve. Until the Ukad adjudicathree

tion process is over, no sanctions can be put in place by the BBBC.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said on social media that Whyte had been cleared to fight, but there was no denial his fighter had tested positive. Hearn tweeted: “I can confirm that both Whyte and Rivas were subject to extensive Vada [Voluntary Anti-doping Association] and Ukad testing for their bout. Both fighters were cleared to fight.”

Whyte’s management team, and Hearn, failed to respond when contacted by The Daily Telegraph. The BBBC refused to comment.