Joshua v Ruiz 2

[Kirkland Laing]

Amazing how a (very good) cruiserweight can have one fight at heavyweight against a limited opponent - and suddenly become number one mandatory contender for the WBO title. That must really piss off career heavyweights who have worked for a long time to get into that position.

It's down to how big a sanctioning fee can you produce. He's got promotional muscle behind him, won that world series thing, has been in big fights and can give the WBO some decent paydays.

[Master]

Dillian Whyte joins Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz undercard to take on Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach

Dillian Whyte will return to the ring to take on Mariusz Wach on the Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz undercard in Saudi Arabia.

The British heavyweight has not fought since his impressive victory over the previously undefeated Oscar Rivas in July – a victory that was overshadowed by a failed drug test.

Whyte was provisionally suspended by the World Boxing Council pending an investigation into an adverse finding in a drugs test prior to his meeting with Rivas.



The Londoner, who was cleared to fight by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control, denied any wrongdoing, insisting he won his meeting with Rivas “fair and square.”

He joins the card in Saudi Arabia that now features five heavyweight bouts on Saturday 7 December.
Polish fighter Wach has won 35 of his 40 professional bouts, including his last two. The 37-year-old is struggled stepping up to anything resembling world level, however, having lost to Martin Banole, Artur Szpilka and Jarrell Miller in the last two years.

Wach also has defeats to Alexander Povetkin and Wladimir Klitschko on his record.

Joshua vs Ruiz undercard
Alexander Povetkin v Michael Hunter​
Dillian Whyte v Mariusz Wach​
Filip Hrgovic v Eric Molina​
Mahammadrasul Majidov v Tom Little
Diego Pacheco vs TBC
Hope Price vs TBC

[TIC]

i'd like to see aj gain revenge, ruiz could prove to have the better chin

[Mark TKO]

A week to go. AJ looking in shape and focused.

Fight will be decided when ruiz lands his first decent punch. Joshua will stay focused and deal with it. Or fold.....

[X]

If there is an early blowout, I think it's a Joshua win. He is very dangerous early on and can definitely hit and knock anybody out.

Having said that, he got an early knockdown against Ruiz last time, and it was his overeagerness to close the show that led to him being countered and beaten up. It might make him more cautious.

You would think that the longer the fight goes, the more it favours Ruiz as the demons will return to the beaten fighters head. I still can't see how somebody with Ruiz' body shape can be truly fit though.

[Ron Swanson]

Whyte being allowed to fight after failing with D-Bol in his system and then proceeding to use illegal gloves is absolutely shameful. UKAD, BBBofC, Hearn, Whyte, all shameful.

[Master]

Whyte being allowed to fight after failing with D-Bol in his system and then proceeding to use illegal gloves is absolutely shameful. UKAD, BBBofC, Hearn, Whyte, all shameful.

Illegal gloves?