If Wilder’s Return Is Delayed, Whyte Wants Fury
With all eyes on the trio of Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, mandatory challengers have been left in the dark. The patience of those fighters, like Dillian Whyte, has been put to the test. This is especially true with Wilder’s recent bicep surgery.
If Wilder can’t train properly before the proposed trilogy fight against Fury in October, Whyte believes an opportunity is his for the taking.
“Why don’t we just get it on,” Whyte asked Sky Sports. “He just talks rubbish. I don’t want to talk s*** about this, that or whatever. All I want to do is fight these guys.
“Let’s just have the fight. Like he said to Deontay Wilder, ‘It’s only a fight, you win some, you lose some.’ It’s just a fight. Why wouldn’t he want to fight me instead of waiting for an injured Wilder to recover, as he may not even be ready by October due to the severity of his injury.”
Whyte (27-1) hasn’t lost a bout since 2016, when Joshua beat him for the WBC International, Commonwealth and British Heavyweight Titles. He has since beaten the likes of Dereck Chisora, Robert Helenius and Joseph Parker. “The Body Snatcher” beat Oscar Rivas for the vacant WBC interim Heavyweight Title. He was supposed to face Alexander Povetkin on May 2 but that has been postponed due to the coronavirus. The bout is now rumored for July.
If Fury’s fight with Wilder happens, the winner of that bout would most likely face Joshua. Fury teased a fight with Whyte for the WBC Diamond Belt, but that never came to fruition. Whyte is done playing games and wants the fights he believes boxing needs.
“Everyone talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk,” Whyte went on to say. “All they’re doing is conning the public and depriving them of good fights. Why don’t boxers fight each other? I will fight anyone and I don’t care if I lose.
“All I can do is stay ready and stay focused on what I’m doing. My only requirement is give me enough time to prepare properly.”
Whyte has been the WBC mandatory challenger since 2017. Wilder was busy with other challengers, and then he lost the WBC Heavyweight Title to Fury. Whyte was suspended for a failed drug test that ended up coming back with inconclusive results. Still the interim champion, Whyte would easily move past a Povetkin fight to take on the champion. His claim at mandatory has been questioned by the WBC, something he will strongly debate.
“It’s embarrassing for the WBC to say that” Whyte stated regarding the WBC delay. “Why hasn’t the WBC champion fought me yet and to say I’ve only been mandatory for over 280 days since I beat Oscar Rivas, but by the time my shot comes around in February 2021 I will have been the no 1 ranked contender for over 1200 days.
“That will be the longest wait in the history of boxing. It’s frustrating and disgraceful!”