Dillian Whyte drugs test: Eddie Hearn admits it will be ‘difficult’ to clear name with public

Whyte overcame Oscar Rivas on points, despite being knocked down in the ninth round, to earn mandatory status with the WBC to face heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder

Eddie Hearn admits it will be difficult for Dillian Whyte to clear his name in the public after allegedly failing a drugs test before his fight with Oscar Rivas.

According to a report by Boxing Scene, the British heavyweight returned a positive UKAD test for a banned substance in the days before the contest.

Whyte was cleared to fight after a hearing and maintains his innocence, insisting he won “fair and square” and that he has been left “disappointed” by comments.

Promoter Hearn has underlined the fact Whyte was cleared to fight, but has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for Whyte in clearing his name in the public.

“It’s a very important time for Dillian Whyte, because his career, I wouldn’t say is in tatters, but he’s got to take this very seriously and he’s got to go through the whole process and clear his name,” Hearn told IFL TV.

“Not just with UKAD or the Board (BBBofC), but with the public.

“If he’s 100 per cent innocent, which time will tell, it’s f***ing brutal what has happened to him, it’s going to be difficult.

Whyte overcame Rivas to earn mandatory status with the WBC (Getty)

“You know that he was cleared for this fight in a hearing now, so ask yourself why? So, you have to give yourself a chance to say, ‘there’s a reason, so if there is a reason, there must be a reason with grounds’. So let that play out and see where it goes to.

“But again, if he wasn’t cleared to fight, the fight is off. there’s nothing I can do about it. (If) Contractually, legally, the guy hasn’t got his license, then there’s no fight. Once he’s got his license to fight... I don’t know how simpler to put it.”

Whyte insists he beat Rivas “fair and square” (Reuters)

Whyte admitted he could not elaborate on the allegations but maintained his innocence in a statement.

“I am so disappointed with the rubbish that has been said about me over the last few days,” Whyte said.

“I have lawyers dealing with it and I have been told that I can’t talk about it for good legal reasons.

“I was cleared to fight and I won that fight fair and square. Thanks for the support.”