Eddie Hearn said he doesn’t understand why Dillian Whyte banned by WBC ahead of his match against Oscar Rivas at the O2 Arena in London, England.
According to reports, the WBC has made a statement on Tuesday saying that Whyte has been given a provisional ban until an investigation has been made.
However, Hearn insisted his client was cleared by UKAD and BBBofC at a hearing that took place on the morning of his fight with Rivas.
“The facts that we do know – he was cleared to box by the National Anti-Doping Panel and UK Anti-Doping, and the British Boxing Board of Control,” Hearn said.
“He’s not suspended by them so why should the WBC suspend him? Whyte is in the process of clearing his name. He could fight on Saturday if he wanted to. He is not suspended. He is cleared to box.” he added.
When asked about Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr rematch fight, Hearn insisted the rematch won’t be taking place in the USA for second time, except in Cardiff, Wales.
“There are some other interesting options that would be quite iconic internationally, which does involve a lot of aggravation logistically, but does involve a spectacle that would be quite unique,” Hearn said.
“I keep saying this, but in the next 48 hours Andy Ruiz’s team will be alerted to where this fight will take place. A neutral venue, he would be a lot happier with. I think I can rule out America, right now. Cardiff is still the front-runner, it’s still the favorite.” Hearn added.
Whyte on the other side, the 31-year old wanted a fight with the WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in the future. However, the WBC has ruled the British fighter must get his shot by the end of next May.
As for Wilder, he has a rematch with Cuban Luis Ortiz next in a figh that may not happen until late November, a date that makes it unlikely that the American will box former champion Tyson Fury again in next February.
