Rivas camp slam boxing chiefs for not telling them about Whyte drug test and demand result is overturned – The Sun

THE team behind Oscar Rivas have slammed boxing chiefs for not telling them of Dillian Whyte's apparent failed drugs test – and are demanding the result is overturned.

Whyte is reported to have tested positive for a banned substance just days before winning his WBC eliminator against Rivas at the O2.

But Russ Anber, a member of the Rivas team, says no-one was informed of the problem on their side and has slammed the British Boxing Board of Control for apparently clearing Whyte to fight despite his positive sample.

Anber said: “We were not notified. Nobody from the Rivas camp was notified that he had failed a drug test. Or that he had tested positive for two steroids.

“The fact the BBBoC saw fit to hold a hearing on this positive test – to me, makes you if not legally, certainly morally obligated to notify the opposing camp.

“The fact that a positive test came up and they see fit to hold a hearing to get Dillian’s side of the story and not notify us?

“I don’t see how anybody cannot perceive that as being so wrong, not only wrong but ultimately dangerous, thank God nothing happened in the ring that night.

“But had it happened, with both the gloves and the withholding of information regarding his positive steroid test just makes it incredible.

“I can’t even believe people can’t see the danger in that. The BBBoC is supposed to be there for the protection of the fighters and the safety of the fighters. And to be fair to both sides.

“That’s their mandate, that’s their role. They are not there just to protect Dillian or the shows it goes on.

"It’s their obligation to warn opposing fighters. As I’m sure Dillian and his camp, Matchroom, everybody else would want to be warned if an opponent of Dillian’s had tested and they didn’t tell them, imagine how he would have felt?”

Rivas' promoter Yvon Michel added: "We are still amazed on what has happen and more we don’t understand what has been the overall process.

"If Whyte tested positive for PED why he has been cleared to fight, on what ground or rules?

"That decision has certainly made a huge impact on Rivas’s future in and out the ring."

Whyte insists he won the fight fairly, in a short statement released on Friday, and said there was no problem with him being allowed to fight.

But Anber added: “I understand, he has to take this position – he’s not going to say ‘hey, I tested positive but the BBBoC gave me a pass.

“He said he won fair and square. In his heart he knows he didn’t win fair and square.

“I think it’s a no-brainer that the decision is going to get cancelled.

“According to everything we have, the decision has to be reversed. It has to be declared a no-contest at worse, if not an outright disqualification.

“Rivas has to be installed as the mandatory, that’s just basic.

"With everything that happened with the gloves and with the positive test I don’t think the result can be forced to stand despite any suspension or fine that might be levied against Dillian Whyte.

“I firmly believe the WBC will definitely not stand by the result or the promised mandatory position to Dillian Whyte.”

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