DILLIAN WHYTE insists he's no drug cheat after a THIRD career-failed test scuppered his rematch with Anthony Joshua.
The Brixton Body Snatcher's domestic dust-up with his long-time rival was cancelled on Saturday after it emerged that a voluntary drugs test had come back positive.
The substance Whyte, 35, tested positive for has not yet been released.
But the former WBC heavyweight title challenger is adamant he didn't intentionally ingest any performance enhancers to boost his chances of avenging his 2015 defeat to AJ.
He said in a statement: "I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.
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"I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
"I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.
"I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not take the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
"I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media."
Whyte stumped up a hefty amount of cash to have VADA randomly test him during the final weeks of his training camp.
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And he's adamant he wouldn't look to try to get an extra edge with one of the most stringent anti-doping organisations hot on his heels.
He said: "I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all my fights for many, many years."
Brit fan favourite Whyte has now failed three drug tests in his career.
He served a two-year suspension for his first anti-doping violation in 2012 but was cleared of the second in 2019 - which occurred ahead of his interim WBC title fight with Oscar Rivas.
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UKAD cleared Whyte of intentionally doping due to "extremely low" levels of anabolic steroid Dianabol discovered in his system.
And he's confident of being exonerated of any wrongdoing in this latest drugs saga.
He said: "This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time, I will again prove that I am completely innocent.
"In the meantime, all I can do is express my extreme disappointment to boxing fans, who will miss out on what was sure to be a great event."
Matchroom Boxing are working hard to find a short-notice replacement for Whyte in order to keep AJ active.
SunSport understands Gerald Washington - who is slated to face Derek Chisora on the undercard of the event - is the frontrunner to replace Whyte.
