The heavyweight title showdown between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr is edging ever closer, and the undercard is beginning to take shape.
Dillian Whyte is the latest name to be added to the card, as he will take on Mariusz Wach. Whyte hasn’t been in the ring since his win over Oscar Rivas, which made him the mandatory challenger for Deontay Wilder’s heavyweight title.
The decision to add Whyte to the card has been greeted with a layer of controversy, as it emerged following his win over Rivas that he had failed a drugs test with the UK Anti-Doping agency (UKAD). The Brit was cleared to fight Rivas a few days later, but the inconclusive drugs test has still not been addressed.
Whyte’s Talented Opponent
Whyte has been praised for his tendency to take on high-quality fighters while he waits for his title opportunity despite other fighters likely to rest on their mandatory tag and wait for their opportunity without taking to the ring again.
His opponent on the 7th December pay per view event has recorded 35 wins, and has lost on five occasions. The most recent of these defeats came against Wladimir Klitschko back in 2012 when the titles were on the line.
The Pole has been praised for his chin, with many claiming that it is the best in the heavyweight division. However, this will be a stern test for the 39-year-old as Whyte has been in brilliant form over the past 18 months.
Adverse Drugs Test Response
The BBC reached out to the UKAD, but they refused to comment on the ongoing investigation into the drugs test that was failed by Whyte. Instead, they allow the British Boxing Board of Control to make a final ruling on these types of cases, and they have refused to suspend Whyte.
Eddie Hearn spoke about Whyte’s attitude, and he claimed that ‘it would be ridiculous’ for the fighter to wait around until a final ruling has been made. The promoter also went on to ask for clarity when it comes to cases like this, as 12 months is too long. That was how long American fighter Ryan Martin was forced to wait before receiving his band from the sport.
It is still unclear what the hold up could be for the Whyte case, as he passed all voluntary anti-doping tests before and after the Rivas bout. The announcement of the failed drugs test was released by UKAD four days after the win during the summer.
Regardless, the inclusion of Whyte on the undercard ensures that it will be a high-quality night of action in Saudi Arabia, with various other bouts also added at the same time. Tom Little will also be on the card as he takes on Mahammadrasul Majidov from Azerbaijan. It will be a big test for the British fighter as Majidov is a three-time amateur champion.
Meanwhile, Alexander Povetkin will also take on Michael Hunter in a WBA world heavyweight eliminator. But, there is no doubt that the show’s main event involves Joshua and his hunt to reclaim his titles that he shockingly lost to Ruiz in New York earlier this year.
