Dillian Whyte cleared to resume boxing after positive drug test last year
After a lengthy time away from the sport, Dillian Whyte has now been cleared to fight once more according to a new report.
Whyte’s anticipated rematch with Anthony Joshua last August hit a snag when the 35-year-old tested positive for ‘adverse analytical findings’ before the fight, as per the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
However, an investigation revealed that Whyte, who trains under Buddy McGirt in the US and is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, was innocently exposed to a contaminated nutritional supplement. This finding cleared Whyte of any wrongdoing, highlighting the complexities of drug testing in sports.
A forensic expert who was behind the investigation commented to Skys Sports on the matter, “[M]y expert view is that Mr. Whyte was the victim of a contaminated supplement that did not disclose [the contaminant] among its ingredients and he did not ingest the [contaminant] intentionally.”
Whyte himself also spoke of how hard the last year has been, “It’s been really tough, because I knew I was innocent, but then you can’t talk, you can’t say nothing,” he told Sky Sports.
“You have to be professional, trust the process, trust the lawyers and trust the people around you. It’s been tough, but tough times make tough men.
“First of all, I’m relieved more than anything, but of course I’m angry as well because it’s cost me so much. The most important thing is it cost me the chance to beat AJ. Everything else after that is secondary but you know it’s a mix of emotions. I’m angry and I’m disappointed as well because people in this game don’t give you a chance to prove yourself. Everybody is quick to say, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah,’ instead of giving people a chance.”