On the 12th of August, Dillian Whyte was to enter the ring against Anthony Joshua to add another chapter to their rivalry. This would be the second time in their professional careers the two would fight against each other after their initial pro-boxing bout in 2015. In their previous encounter,  Anthony Joshua came down on his opponent only to defeat him through a stellar knockout. On the 12th of August, Whyte would have a had chance to redeem himself. However, that will not happen anymore.

Matchroom Boxing announced just a few days ahead of the big fight that Whyte will not be allowed to fight AJ following  “adverse” findings in his VADA drugs test.  As Whyte was removed from the roster, the boxing sphere entered into a frenzy as it wondered if the AJ main event was going to be canceled for good. However, Eddie Hearn managed to get AJ another opponent just in time to have the bout go unhindered. Yet, the news of Dillian Whyte’s alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs dominates boxing circles.

Derek Chisora calls out Dillian Whyte

As both AJ and his new opponent, Robert Helenius met for the first time at the press conference ahead of their fight, another boxer had things to say about the use of PEDs in boxing. On the surface Joshua finding a new opponent might have brought fans relief, but there is a question that this entire fiasco has sparked. An important question about the use of  drugs by boxers ahead of their fights. Derek Chisora has opened up about the same.

The fighter, in a passionate speech, spoke about how big a problem duping is in boxing. He said, “It’s a problem in this sport. Boxing is already the hardest sport enough to fight someone’s kid when you’re not on drugs. 

He further attributed the blame for using these drugs on trainers. Chisora said, ” I wanna blame the trainers… you know your boxing trainers? S and C coaches? Those are the guys who give you that sh*t. You don’t see a fighter go, “Oh lemme go online and get this drug, and enhance my body.” No, No I blame the trainers.”

He also called for heavy regulations in the boxing fraternity on the use of performance enhancers. He said, “It gonna have to be a ten-year ban straight away. A ten-year ban.Because how about you hit the kid and he dies? What are you gonna do? I have boxed for 20 years now, and I have never taken drugs.”

A huge price to pay for the collapse of Whyte vs Joshua

Less than a week ahead of the big Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua fight, news came that it has collapsed. As AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn was pushed into damage control mode, an omnipotent fear loomed over him. How much of a financial loss would this incur for the fight? One of the biggest fights of this year fell flat, and of course, the price to pay for this in losses has to be massive.

The promoter had to figure out an opponent who fits the league of AJ. Moreover, Joshua must do everything in his power to avoid a loss in anticipation of a very exciting bout which is likely to happen against Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia.

Hence, the name Robert Helenius came through. The boxer enters the ring merely days after he defeated Mika Mielonen via a knockout in Finland. But to compensate for this sudden change of names and stakes, DAZN has reduced its special fee of £26.99 fee to its standard subscription. A loss that will weigh heavily on the organizers. But also a necessary decision to have taken to ensure some footfall.

Also Read: “A Tricky, Dangerous Fight”: Eddie Hearn Weighs In on Joshua’s Upcoming Fight Against This Heavyweight Beast

Further, the future of Dillian in the boxing remains uncertain. Do you think he would be able to come up once again after having been accused of duping in a sport? Let us know in the comments section below.