A highly anticipated rematch between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte set to take place on August 12, has been canceled after Whyte returned "adverse analytical findings".

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association said it had informed the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control of the result.

Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte, Eddie Hearn — Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte face off at their press conference. Photo by Mark Robinson.
Source: Getty Images

Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing said a full investigation will be done, and they are reportedly trying to find a replacement opponent for Joshua.

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

The bout was set to take place at London's O2 Arena next weekend. The pair fought in 2015, and Joshua won by seventh-round stoppage. Whyte had beaten Joshua in the amateur circuit.

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The winner of the bout was reportedly set to take on Deontay Wilder later this year, per Sky Sports.

Whyte's doping history

Whyte has had doping issues before. He was suspended between 2012-2014 for using an illegal supplement. He was provisionally banned in 2012 after testing positive for methylhexaneamine (MHA) after his win over Hungary's Sandor Balogh, per BBC.

Whyte's sample before his victory over Oscar Rivas contained traces of a banned steroid. The doping charge was dropped by UK Anti-Doping in 2019.

The 35-year-old now faces plenty of questions about his integrity, which is now at stake. He will now need to wait for the findings of the investigations so as to return to the ring.