Dillian Whyte vs. Oscar Rivas

Dillian Whyte vs. Óscar Rivas was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between Dillian Whyte and Óscar Rivas for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title. The event took place on 20 July 2019 at The O2 Arena in London. After the fight, it was reported that Dillian Whyte tested positive for a substance banned by UK-Anti Doping (UKAD) during training for the fight.[1] However, UKAD released a statement in December 2019, fully exonerating Whyte of any wrong-doing.[2]

Dillian Whyte vs. Óscar Rivas

Date	20 July 2019
Venue	The O2 Arena, London, England
Title(s) on the line	WBC interim heavyweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Dillian Whyte Óscar Rivas Nickname The Body Snatcher Kaboom Hometown Brixton, London, England Valle del Cauca, Colombia Pre-fight record 25–1 (18 KOs) 26–0 (18 KOs) Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight 254 lb (115 kg) 239.4 lb (109 kg) Style Orthodox Orthodox Recognition WBC No. 1 Ranked heavyweight WBA No. 3 Ranked heavyweight WBO No. 3 Ranked heavyweight WBO No. 5 Ranked heavyweight WBA No. 7 Ranked heavyweight IBF No. 8 Ranked heavyweight WBC No. 14 Ranked heavyweight
Result
Whyte wins via 12-round unanimous decision

Background

Following his eleventh-round knockout victory over Dereck Chisora, Whyte called out unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Joshua, who was unusually booed by many of those present at The O2 Arena, said: “If Deontay Wilder is serious and he is going to fight Tyson Fury and doesn’t want to become undisputed champion, Dillian, you will get a title shot." On 12 January 2019, Whyte revealed that he had turned down a "severe lowball" offer from Joshua to fight him in a rematch. Whyte did not reveal the figure, however, he claimed it was lower than what he received against Chisora in December 2018.

Whyte claimed the Joshua fight "was dead" and he was to look at other options, including a potential fight with Dominic Breazeale for the interim WBC belt but Breazeale challenged Deontay Wilder for the world title.[3]

NABF, IBF International, and WBO-NABO champion Rivas, had enhanced his reputation as a danger man following his brutal knockout of the former world title challenger Bryant Jennings in January.

The fight

Whyte survived a ninth-round knockdown to take a unanimous decision victory, with two of the judge's scorecards showing 115-112, and the third 116-111.[4]

Aftermath

Three days after the bout it was revealed that Whyte tested positive for a substance that is banned by UK-Anti Doping (UKAD) during the pre-fight training, but also gave negative results on all tests administered by the Voluntary Anti Doping Association. His promoter Eddie Hearn urged fans to "wait for the facts" before judging the fighter.[5] In the same month, upon hearing the news of the adverse findings, the WBC provisionally suspended Whyte's interim champion status and removed him from their rankings pending an investigation.[6] On 6 December 2019, UKAD released a statement fully exonerating Whyte of any wrong-doing, stating; "UK Anti-Doping and the professional boxer, Dillian Whyte, can today jointly confirm that Mr Whyte was charged with an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) earlier this year, but that this charge has now been withdrawn. The charge was brought after a sample provided by Mr Whyte on 20 June 2019 indicated the presence of two metabolites of a steroid. UKAD initiated an investigation with which Mr Whyte cooperated fully. UKAD has accepted the explanation provided by Mr Whyte and, in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules, the charge against Mr Whyte has been withdrawn."[7]

Fight card

Weight Class	Weight		vs.		Method	Round	Time	Note
Heavyweight	14 st 4 lb+	Dillian Whyte	def.	Óscar Rivas	UD	12/12		^Note 1
Heavyweight	14 st 4 lb+	David Price	def.	Dave Allen	RTD	10/12		^Note 2
Heavyweight	14 st 4 lb+	Dereck Chisora	def.	Artur Szpilka	KO	2/10	1:01
Cruiserweight	14 st 4 lb	Lawrence Okolie	def.	Mariano Gudino	TKO	7/10	2:59	^Note 3

^Note 1 For WBC interim heavyweight title

^Note 2 For vacant WBA Continental heavyweight title

^Note 3 For WBA Continental cruiserweight title

References

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/49108875
2. "Dillian Whyte cleared by UK Anti-Doping". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
3. https://www.badlefthook.com/2019/6/20/18692623/eddie-hearn-whyte-vs-rivas-likely-interim-wbc-title-fight-july-20-boxing-news
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/49060470
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/49122039
6. "Dillian Whyte: WBC provisionally suspends status as interim world heavyweight champion". 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
7. "Dillian Whyte cleared by UK Anti-Doping". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2019-12-06.