The WBC released a statement on Tuesday explaining it is temporarily suspending Dillian Whyte's status as its interim heavyweight titleholder because of a failed drug before his unanimous decision victory over Oscar Rivas on July 20 in London.
"An 'A' Sample UKAD collected from Mr. Dillian Whyte in relation with his bout against Oscar Rivas yielded an adverse finding," the WBC said in the statement . "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's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stated that Whyte was cleared to fight by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the British Boxing Board of Control and the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA), which also tested both boxers.
This is the second time in Whyte's career that he has failed a drug test. In 2012, he tested positive for methylhexaneamine. Whyte received a two-year suspension from the UKAD, though he says he did not knowingly take the drug.