Dillian Whyte added to undercard for Anthony Joshua - Andy Ruiz Jr Clash on the Dunes bout

WBC champion Dillian Whyte will return to the ring for the Clash on the Dunes undercard, taking on Polish fighter Mariusz Wach. (Supplied)
Updated 30 November 2019
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Dillian Whyte added to undercard for Anthony Joshua - Andy Ruiz Jr Clash on the Dunes bout

  • The British Heavyweight contender has landed a spot fighting on the undercard
  • Taking on Polish fighter Mariusz Wach

RIYADH: Anticipation for next weekend’s "Clash On The Dunes" boxing bout has been turned up another notch with the announcement that former WBC champion Dillian Whyte will return to the ring for the night’s undercard, taking on Polish fighter Mariusz Wach.

The British Heavyweight contender has landed a spot fighting in the build-up to the Andy Ruiz Jr vs. Anthony Joshua world heavyweight title rematch, taking place at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday December 7th.

Whyte – who defeated Colombian Oscar Rivas to claim the interim World Boxing Council World Heavyweight Title back in July – will take on Poland’s former world title challenger Wach, known as The Viking.

“I’m delighted to be fighting in Saudi Arabia against Mariusz Wach,” said Whyte. “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 7th.”

Speaking of the Clash On The Dunes, Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of promoter Matchroom Boxing, said: “This wraps up a huge card for what will be a historic night for the sport.

"Ten big heavyweights will descend on Diriyah to cause a shockwave through world boxing as Saudi Arabia hosts one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all time.”

Elsewhere on the big fight’s undercard, Britain’s Tom Little will be targeting a huge upset when he takes on Azerbaijan’s Mahammadrasul Majidov, the former world amateur champion. Alexander Povetkin of Russia is set for an explosive encounter with American fighter Michael Hunter, while Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic's faces a step-up in class when he goes toe-to-toe with another US-fighter, Eric Molina.

The talented young duo of Leeds Super-Bantamweight Hopey Price (1-0) and Los Angeles Super-Middleweight Diego Pacheco (7-0, 6 KOs) will also be eager to impress.


Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

Updated 5 sec ago
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Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

  • Garcia is set to headline LIV Golf’s first all-Spanish lineup, with young stars Puig and Ballester coming off major international victories

SPAIN: Fireballs GC of the LIV Golf league have solidified their roster for the 2026 season, highlighted by the return of team captain Sergio Garcia, who has signed a multi-year extension. The Spanish legend will lead a team that includes fellow countrymen and young stars David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu in the league’s first all-Spanish lineup.

“Returning to Fireballs GC and LIV Golf reinforces everything we are building,” Garcia said. “With David and Josele playing well in 2025 and Luis joining the team for 2026, our identity and competitive edge are stronger than ever, rooted in pride, purpose, and our collective emotional connection to the game of golf. LIV Golf continues to set the pace globally, and I’m committed to leading this group as we push forward and keep raising the standard.”

Garcia delivered another elite season as captain in 2025, ranking ninth in the individual standings, his third top-10 finish in four LIV Golf seasons. He won his third start of the season in Hong Kong, becoming one of only three players to capture LIV Golf victories in each of the last two seasons, and continued to serve as the heartbeat and stabilizing force of a young, rising roster.

The Fireballs’ roster confirmation follows a highly successful 2025 season in which the team finished third in the regular-season standings — their highest placement since 2022 — while recording three consecutive team victories in Adelaide, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team finished inside the points in 11 of 13 events, underscoring its consistency across LIV Golf’s global schedule.

Puig returns to build on his success since turning pro to join LIV Golf in 2022, with worldwide wins in each of the last three years, including last month’s Australian PGA Championship. The Spaniard has enjoyed a rapid ascent in LIV Golf, producing his first top-24 finish in 2025 while earning points in each of his 12 regular-season starts, joining LIV star Jon Rahm as the only two players to accomplish that feat. The 24-year-old also notched four top-10 results on his way to proving his status as one of LIV’s most promising young talents.

Ballester emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing young talents after joining Fireballs GC midseason in 2025. The 22-year-old and former U.S. Amateur champion posted his first podium finish after making the playoff at LIV Golf Chicago and, most recently, he secured his first professional victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.

Masaveu returns to Fireballs GC after making eight starts in the 2025 season and contributing to the team’s three consecutive wins. A former standout amateur who has continued to establish himself at the professional level, the 23-year-old Masaveu brings high-level competitive experience and familiarity with LIV Golf’s team environment. His return adds depth and continuity to a roster anchored by proven leadership and rising young talent, further strengthening Fireballs GC as it builds toward long-term excellence in 2026.

“This year marked real growth for me, and a lot of that comes from learning every day alongside Sergio,” Puig said. “His experience, his standards, and the way he leads have helped me mature quickly. Being a part of the Fireballs has really accelerated my development, and I’m excited to build on the growth I’ve already seen.”

Fireballs GC enter the 2026 season as the only team to post at least one tournament victory in each of LIV Golf’s four seasons. They will start the season as one of the youngest teams, with a roster designed to contend for both team championships and individual honors.