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Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz 2: Dillian Whyte to fight Mariusz Wach on undercard in Saudi Arabia

The heavyweight will return in Diriyah after a drug controversy overshadowed his win against Oscar Rivas

Tom Kershaw
Wednesday 27 November 2019 16:38 GMT
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Deontay Wilder reacts to Dillian Whyte drugs test news

Dillian Whyte will return against Mariusz Wach on the undercard of Anthony Joshua‘s rematch with Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia.

Whyte’s pursuit of a heavyweight world title shot stuttered after it was revealed a drugs test taken in the build-up to his bout with Oscar Rivas had shown an abnormal result.

The adverse finding was only revealed by UK Anti-Doping after the bout had taken place, with Whyte winning the gruelling contest via a points decision.

However, Ukad officials are yet to issue any comment on the finding, leaving Whyte - who passed other tests under the jurisdiction of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) - free to fight.

Thirty-nine-year-old veteran Wach’s career looked to be over after being stopped by Martin Bakole in April – his third successive defeat – however, he has since recovered with two routine knockout victories over lacklustre opposition.

“I’m delighted to be fighting in Saudi Arabia against Mariusz Wach,” he said. “He’s probably got one of the best chins in the heavyweight division.

“I have been training and working hard to fight so it’s great to get a date and it’s very exciting for me to be fighting somewhere different like Saudi Arabia.

“I want to fight in different places and different settings and this card has the biggest heavyweight fight on it that we have seen in years.

“I’m just going to keep chasing the world titles, so if I keep winning then I hope to land that World title shot in 2020, that’s the plan for December 7.”

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