Deontay Wilder trainer and co-manager Jay Deas has concerns about fighting in Britain because of lingering questions involving Dillian Whyte, whose suspension was lifted after he was cleared in a UK Anti-Doping investigation.
Whyte tested positive before a victory over Oscar Rivas in London last summer. UKAD ruled last week that the test was contaminated.
Deas told the Daily Mail that the fact Rivas was not informed of the test before the July 20 fight is a concern.
“I know that they cleared him (Whyte) of the drug thing but still, when they had a positive result and did not tell the opponent, that’s problematic,’’ Deas told the U.K. newspaper. “I think that’s potentially criminal. That’s a big, big issue for me.’’
Deas also said that Rivas’ corner was not able to examine Whyte’s gloves after he changed them before opening bell.
Wilder and his team would need answers from the British Boxing Board of Control before he would agree to defend his title in the U.K.
“There would have to be a lot of things that we would have to talk about, relative to the BBBofC, and making sure that it was a level playing field because those things were horribly handled, and, in my opinion, set British boxing back quite a few years,’’ Deas said.
Wilder is scheduled to defend his title against U.K. heavyweight Tyson Fury in a rematch on Feb. 22. Whyte was reinstated as the mandatory challenger for the winner on Wednesday. Meanwhile, there’s been speculation about Joshua fighting the winner after the U.K. heavyweight reclaimed his titles by a decision over Andy Ruiz Jr. in their rematch Saturday.
“He’s fought in the U.K. and he’s also travelled over several times on his own, so he loves it there,’’ Deas said. “That’s really not the issue. It’s just making sure that everything is on the up-and-up and it’s sad. That didn’t used to be a concern, but lately that has been a concer, and we’d just have to sort all that out.”
BBBoC General Secretary Robert Smith responded to Deas, saying:
“We’re disappointed in the comments. All the anti-doping procedures in this country are carried out by UKAD and we carry out their rulings. The gloves used on the evening are approved by the BBBoC so we have no argument with that. They’re gloves that everybody is well aware of. We find no substance in that discussion at all.
“Mr. Wilder has boxed in Britain previously and was looked after well and would be looked after well again this time.’’