DILLIAN WHYTE firmly believes a fight between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua will still happen regardless of the result on August 12.
That night at the O2 Arena in London Whyte and Joshua will reunite for a rematch eight years on from their British title clash at the same venue.
Many fights and many wins and losses have come and gone but the rivalry remains the same. Whyte is turning up with nothing to lose, in his opinion. Joshua is aiming to get back to the top of the division and a second win over his old enemy may take him on to facing Wilder next.
Whyte was asked by Steve Bunce on the BBC 5Live Boxing Podcast if a victory would see him inherit the big fights coming Joshua’s way.
“I don’t think so,” he answered.
“He’s already got a guarantee to fight Wilder win, lose or draw. That’s why they’re taking this fight. It’s a guarantee that the fight’s already made. He’s not taking this because like he’s saying he’s risking everything, they’re chatting rubbish. The fight’s guaranteed win, lose or draw. He’s not really taking no risk. This fight is happening because of greed really which I’m grateful for.”
The career of Dillian Whyte has been one of ups, downs, and controversy. Since becoming a name after the loss to Joshua the 36-year-old has mixed it with the likes of Dereck Chisora, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin and Tyson Fury. In April 2022 Whyte and Fury fought one another at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd north of 90,000. Whyte’s sixth round defeat was a sore one to take. He then returned to the ring last November in an untidy points win over Jermaine Franklin. ‘The Bodysnatcher’ was asked how life had been since the loss to Fury.
“It’s been ups and downs,” he said.
“I was expecting to be in my second fight this year already. Been up and down but boxing’s tough. I’m used to ups and downs in my life. It’s a shame to be one of the top fighters in the world [and] I’m still struggling like I was ten years ago. I don’t have to stand outside Camden centre selling tickets in my dressing room back-to-back weekends before I’m about to go in there.
“It’s been tough. I haven’t been treated the way I should have been treated and getting the right respect I should’ve got but it’s life. When it gives you lemons you make lemonade so I must be a lemonade master by now.”
