Why Anthony Joshua's August 12 Fight Vs Dillian Whyte Was Cancelled

Why Anthony Joshua's August 12 Fight Vs Dillian Whyte Was Cancelled

By Gbenga Gboyega

The heavy-weight clash between Nigeria-born British boxer Anthony Joshua and his compatriot Dillian Whyte has been canceled after a random anti-doping test on Whyte returned "adverse analytical findings", bsnsports.com.ng reports.

The fight had been due to take place at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, 12th of August 2023 but recent updates suggest the long-anticipated British showdown has hit an iceberg.

Matchroom Boxing released a statement early on Saturday morning stating the current status of the bout and the reason behind the cancelation.

"The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association has informed the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that a 'random anti-doping protocol' undertaken by Whyte had returned the 'adverse findings.'

"In light of this news, the fight has been canceled, and a full investigation will be conducted."

Whyte says he is "completely innocent" as he denies taking the reported substance on his Twitter page, as Joseph Parker is willing to emerge as a possible replacement for Whyte to face Joshua for the August 12th date at O2, according to his promoter David Higgins.

The pair met in Cardiff in 2018 when Joshua inflicted the first loss of Parker's heavyweight career, beating the New Zealander by a unanimous decision.

The cancellation of Joshua's fight with Whyte was expected by some quarter who held their reservations about the readiness of the pair on the big stage following their individual struggles in recent times.

Whyte defeated Joshua in the amateur ranks before he went on to win an Olympic gold medal in London back in 2012, but lost to Joshua in a wild 2015 British heavyweight title bout as professionals.

When asked about his dream bout to regain his mojo in the heavyweight division, Joshua included Whyte among Wilder and Fury, but instead, it was only "a dream" as "dreams are fake", while he focuses on his recovery to champion status.

"Yeah, it would be a dream scenario to face Whyte, Wilder, and then Fury. But dreams are fake. This is reality," Joshua told Sky Sports News.