Hearn slams Whyte decision

Promoter Eddie Hearn has criticised the WBC’s decision to strip Dillian Whyte of his mandatory challenger position. The London heavyweight has not fought since July when he beat Oscar Rivas on points. Whyte was suspended of his status after his drugs test before the fight returned an “adverse finding”, according to the UK Anti-Doping agency. A recent statement from the WBC claimed Whyte must wait 16 months for his first world title shot, with Tyson Fury now installed as the mandatory challenger ahead of his rematch with Deontay Wilder in 2020. Whyte is hoping to return to the ring in the next few months, but Hearn says the WBC’s decision is very disappointing. He told Sky Sports: “Nothing surprises me now. I don’t see how they can suspend his position when he’s not suspended himself by any governing bodies, or particularly by any doping agencies. “Again, we still want UKAD to hurry up and make a statement on that fight because that situation is almost getting boring now. “I think the whole franchise situation, mandatory situation, it’s just madness really. It’s almost like a decision of convenience I feel, more than anything else.”