Tony Bellew has said that any fighter found to be taking performance enhancing drugs should be thrown out of the sport – but he’s waiting for more information before giving that verdict to Dillian Whyte.
The Brixton heavyweight has been pulled from his rematch with Anthony Joshua following news that one of his tests with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency returned ‘adverse analytical findings.’
Whyte maintains his innocence, but he’s off the card and a replacement is being sought.
Speaking on the matter via Twitter, former cruiserweight world champion, Bellew, said he would be shocked if this case was proven to be performance enhancing drugs in Whyte’s system, but he should be banned for life if that turns out to be true.
“If he’s failed for PEDs then he should be banned for life! I’d be shocked if it was PEDs but if it is then it’s gotta be the same for EVERYONE! Anyone failing for PEDs should quite simply be thrown out the sport for good! The [minute] they launch one for life it’ll stop believe me!”
“But you have to prove without doubt they’ve been on proper PEDs like Jarrell Miller! Perfect example would of been banning him for life! Someone who has copious amounts of PEDs in their system and it’s without any doubt then, BAN THEM FOR LIFE! END OF!”
If he’s failed for PED’s then he should be banned for life! I’d be shocked if it was PED’s but if it is then it’s gotta be the same for EVERYONE! Anyone failing for PED’s should quite simply be thrown out the sport for good! The min they launch one for life it’ll stop believe me!
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) August 6, 2023
Whyte has had two previous run-ins with doping authorities. He was banned in 2012 for two years, but the National Anti-Doping Panel did accept an appeal that he did not knowingly ingest the substance.
After his 2019 bout with Oscar Rivas, it was revealed that he had returned adverse findings in a UK Anti-Doping test. The agency later withdrew the charge.
Joshua’s team is currently scrambling for a late-replacement opponent.