WBC seeks information on Whyte dope test reports

WBC seeks information on Whyte dope test reports
FILE PHOTO: Boxing - Dillian Whyte v Oscar Rivas - WBC Interim World Heavyweight Title - 02 Arena, London, Britain - July 20, 2019 Dillian Whyte celebrates winning the fight Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo Copyright Andrew Couldridge(Reuters)
Copyright Andrew Couldridge(Reuters)
By Reuters
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LONDON (Reuters) - The World Boxing Council (WBC) said on Thursday it had asked Britain's governing body for information after media reported that heavyweight Dillian Whyte failed a dope test before fighting Colombian Oscar Rivas in London last weekend.

Whyte won the fight on a unanimous points decision at the O2 Arena, making him a mandatory challenger for WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

The world body said it had yet to receive "any notification from anyone about a positive anti-doping test allegedly yielded by Dillian Whyte in connection with last Saturday’s fight.

"The WBC has requested that the BBBofC, as the local governing entity that oversaw that fight, formally provide any available information to the WBC."

The British Boxing Board of Control has made no comment other than saying all anti-doping procedures were carried out for them by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).

UKAD also had no comment.

Whyte's promoter Eddie Hearn said on Twitter that Whyte and Rivas "were subject to extensive VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) and UKAD testing for their bout.

"Both fighters were cleared to fight by both bodies and the BBBofC," he added.

Rivas's promoter Yvon Michel said on Twitter he had read a report on the Boxing Scene website (www.boxingscene.com) with "great stupefaction".

"Up to this moment nobody on the concerned parties have confirmed or denied to us this information," he added.

American Wilder published an expletive-laden tirade on Instagram on Thursday in response to the reports.

Whyte, 31, served a two-year ban between 2012-14 after testing positive for a banned stimulant. The BBC said he risked an eight-year ban for a second offence, if confirmed.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)

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