Mykhailo Mudryk is spotted ringside ahead of Oleksandr Usyk versus Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia – with suspended Chelsea star one of a number of big stars in Riyadh for the banner rematch
Mykhailo Mudryk has been spotted ringside ahead of Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening.
The Chelsea winger is currently serving a provisional suspension from the FA after returning a positive drugs test for banned substance meldonium.
Mudryk reacted to the news on social media by insisting that he has not done anything wrong.
The Ukrainian is unavailable to play for Chelsea this weekend in their Premier League match against Everton on Sunday.
Mudryk now looks set to cheer on his countryman Usyk in his heavyweight title fight against Tyson Fury in Riyadh on Saturday night as per a photo from talkSPORT, after first being sighted by a fan in Riyadh on Friday evening.
A Chelsea fan shared a photo of Mudryk on social media, reportedly after the Chelsea star had arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of Usyk’s showdown with Fury.
Mykailo Mudryk (centre) was spotted ahead of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch versus Tyson Fury on Saturday evening
The Chelsea player is currently unavailable for fixtures after returning a positive drugs test
A Chelsea fan based in Riyadh previously posed for a picture with the winger on Friday night
Mudryk had reacted to his failed drugs test on Instagram earlier this week.
He wrote: ‘I can confirm I have been notified that a sample I provided to the FA contained a banned substance. This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
‘I know I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.’
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca had insisted he trusts Mudryk following the news.
‘We support and we trust Misha,’ Maresca said on Wednesday.
Other big names expected to be present at the Riyadh fight include boxing royalty Lennox Lewis and action star Jason Statham
‘Trust means that we believe Misha. We support Misha and then we see. We are all sad. Me, the club, the players, we are all there.’
Mudryk is one of a number of big-name stars expected in the Gulf state to watch the heavyweights do battle for the second time on Saturday evening, with Sky Sports revealing a number seated ringside for the clash.
Guests of honour include Jason Statham, Naseem Hameed, Francis Ngannou, Lennox Lewis, and Daniel Dubois.
