British heavyweight boxer Dillian Whyte may be banned for eight years from the sport after he tested positive for a banned substance.
The 31-year-old Londoner could face the lengthy ban due to this being his second offence, after serving a two-year ban starting in 2012. The historic punishment was for unknowingly taking an illegal supplement.
But if the charges are upheld this around, the punishment would be far heavier, particularly given that the result was found positive prior to his bout against the Colombian fighter Oscar Rivas last weekend.
The test was carried out by the UK Anti-Doping agency (UKAD).
Whyte remains the mandatory challenger to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, but the body has said that they are as yet unaware of any positive test having taken place.
Eddie Hearn - Whyte's promoter - tweeted yesterday "Further to reports I can confirm that both Dillian Whyte and Oscar Rivas were subject to extensive VADA and UKAD testing for their bout. Both fighters were cleared to fight by both bodies and the BBBofC.”
The tweet does not cover the fact that a positive 'A' sample is only the beginning of the process, and that any such punishment would come at the conclusion of the process.
It appears that questions will be asked as to the wisdom of allowing high-profile fights to go ahead, without the opponent being notified of a potential doping infraction.
The news comes during one of the most troubling weeks in boxing's recent history.
Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev died on Tuesday, following brain injuries sustained during his bout with Subriel Matias.
Only today, Argentinean fighter Hugo Santillan became the second boxer to die this week from injuries sustained during time in the ring.
Andy Lee, former middleweight champion of the world, spoke of the need to change attitudes in boxing to safeguard people's lives.
"I think the boxing community and boxing fans need to change the way they look at boxing and this attitude of never quitting," said Andy, in conversation with Off The Ball.
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