A week before the grandiose boxing show in Riyadh, where the central event will be the rematch between the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and the British Tyson Fury, the organizers announced changes in the schedule. The undercard of the rematch between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and British Tyson Fury has changed. One of the scheduled matches of the evening of boxing, which was supposed to take place between the British Dennis McCann and Peter McGrail, has been canceled. This is reported in to the personal X of the head of the General Directorate of Entertainment of Saudi Arabia, Turki Al al-Sheikh.
The reason for canceling the match
The reason for the cancellation was the suspension of Dennis McCann, who failed a doping test. McCann, the British, British Commonwealth and European champion (according to the EBU) in the second lightest weight (up to 55.3 kg), will not be able to take part in the fight due to the positive result of the test for prohibited substances, which was carried out before the fight.
Peter McGrail, McCann’s opponent, is currently awaiting a decision from the organizers to replace the opponent. If he can find a new opponent in time, McGrail will be able to compete at a night of boxing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Turki Al-Sheikh wrote:
“The World Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) has announced that Dennis McCann has tested positive for anti-doping. His performance in Riyadh will not take place due to an investigation into this incident. There will be no further comment on the situation at this time.”
Other fights on the undercard Usyk – Fury 2
Despite the change of one of the fights, the undercard of the boxing evening remains impressive:
- Serhiy Bogachuk (Ukraine, 24-2, 23 KOs) — Ishmael Davis (England, 13-1, 6 KOs);
- Daniel Lapin (Ukraine, 9-0, 3 KOs) — Dylan Colin (France, 14-0, 4 KOs);
- Andrii Novytskyi (Ukraine, 13-0, 10 KOs) — Edgar Ramirez (Mexico, 10-1-1, 4 KOs);
- Moses Itauma (Great Britain, 10-0, 8 KOs) – Demsey McKean (Australia, 22-1, 14 KOs);
- Johnny Fisher (Great Britain, 12-0, 11 KOs) – David Allen (Great Britain, 23-6-2, 18 KOs);
- Isaac Lowe (Great Britain, 25-2-3, 8 KOs) – Lee McGregor (Scotland, 14-1-1, 11 KOs).
We will remind, the rematch between Usyk and Fury was supposed to take place on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The WBA, WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles were at stake. The first fight between these rivals ended with the victory of Oleksandr Usyk by a split decision of the judges, which became an important milestone in his career.
The cancellation of one of the undercard fights was an unfortunate episode in the build-up to the evening of boxing, but the event promises to remain a bright sporting event with a number of exciting fights.
